Craig Burley discusses the reasons why PSG wants to see Kylian Mbappe and Neymar play together, before making a decision about Mbappe’s future. (1:11).
Why is PSG holding onto Mbappe right now? (1:11).
Real Madrid offered 200 million to Paris Saint-Germain to secure the rights to Kylian Maappe, but they did not receive a reply. Sources close to La Liga told ESPN that they are now ready to put their bid on hold to sign the star.
The transfer window for France and Spain closes at midnight CEST on Tuesday. Talks remain deadlocked with the clubs unable find common ground over a fee for the 22 year-old.
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Sources in Paris confirmed that Mbappe would remain at PSG this season, denying that Tuesday's bid was rejected.
Madrid offered Mbappe 160m initially, but it was rejected immediately. Madrid then made a second offer of 170m plus 10m add-ons.
PSG declined to respond to the offer. Sources previously indicated to ESPN that they would need a bid of at most 200m to seriously consider a transfer.
Madrid attempted to pressure PSG in recent days by threatening to pull out of negotiations and putting pressure on them.
ESPN was told by sources close to Real Madrid that PSG were searching for Mbappe's replacement during this time. PSG's striker contract expires in June 2022. If he doesn't sign a new contract, he can negotiate with Madrid or any other club in January to move for free next summer.
Madrid is concerned that Mbappe may be under pressure to renew his contract if there is no transfer agreement. This includes teammates Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Sergio Ramos, former Madrid captain.
Sources have revealed to ESPN that Mbappe has been Real Madrid’s top transfer target for several seasons. In preparation for Mbappe, the club had been careful managing its spending. There were no transfer fees on first-team players from 2019, and there have been departures of Raphael Varane & Martin Odegaard.
The France international was also close to securing a move to Bernabeu in the past. In 2012, he was on trial at the club for his 14th birthday. He met Zinedine Zidane, and took a photo with Cristiano Ronaldo, then-Madrid's star.
Madrid pressed hard for his signing after he quit Monaco's former club -- where he won Ligue 1 in 2016-17 and reached the Champions League semifinals. Before he signed with PSG, he agreed to a 180m deal which is still a world record for a teenager.
Mbappe won three league titles in his four years in Paris, and was Ligue 1's top scorer three consecutive seasons.
The 2021-22 season began with a brace in PSG’s 2-0 victory over Reims on Sunday. This was also the game in which Messi made his debut for the club from the bench.
