Sources have confirmed to ESPN that Real Madrid has submitted an improved offer of 180 millions to Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian Maappe.
The initial 160m bid was rejected Tuesday. Sources close to Madrid told ESPN that the signing would be difficult but they are hopeful of closing the deal before Tuesday's transfer window closes.
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The second offer, 180m, is a flat 170m with possible add-ons of 10m. Sources told ESPN that this was "easily achievable."
PSG has yet to respond to the second offer, but sources in Paris tell ESPN that it is likely to get turned down because they are still holding out for closer to 220m.
When asked about the situation at the 2021-22 Champions League draw, Nasser Al Khaleifi, president of PSG, stated that "I think our positions are very clear," as Leonardo said yesterday. "Our position has not changed for Kylian. It is known by everyone, Kylian also knows it. "Our position is very transparent and honest."
Mbappe still has one year on his contract, and he has rejected multiple renewal offers. This leaves the Ligue 1 club in a difficult situation of losing him for nothing next season.
Madrid could negotiate with France from January 2022 in order to sign him free of charge next June, when his PSG contract expires.
Real Madrid has made Mbappe a long-term and first-choice target. President Florentino Perez, who personally oversees the negotiations, is looking to create a new team for the renovated Bernabeu stadium.
The club knew for months that Mbappe was interested in joining, and ESPN reported that Mbappe's team was making preparations to move this summer for Mbappe.
Madrid has been determined to not act in a manner that might anger PSG or threaten the relationship between the clubs.
Sources told ESPN over the past week that there has been a growing optimism among Bernabeu members about the club's chances to sign.
Madrid have made around 80m this summer from Raphael Varane's sale to Manchester United and Martin Odegaard's sale to Arsenal. They have not paid any transfer fees for a first team player since 2019, opting instead to save for the day when Mbappe was available for bid.
