Kylian Mbappe’s name has been dominating the headlines lately, as his much-anticipated transfer to Santiago Bernabeu gains momentum. After four years of speculation, it is finally heading towards an agreement for him to play for Spanish club Real Madrid next season.
Mbappe is in talks with the La Liga club after informing PSG of his wish not to extend his contract, choosing instead to leave on a free transfer in the summer when his contract expires. Amid these developments, sightings of the forward in Barcelona have sparked debate among fans.
Kylian Mbappe gets spotted in Barcelona amid Real Madrid links
Kylian Mbappe, the Parisian starman, has been a long-term target for Los Blancos ever since he burst onto the European scene in 2017. He came close to joining the Spanish side on a free transfer during the 2021–22 season but eventually ended up staying in Paris, signing a two-year extension.
However, this time, the forward has turned down multiple proposals from the French champions, despite being offered a lucrative contract worth three times what he is reportedly set to receive at Real Madrid. With the final six months of his contract remaining, he is negotiating terms with Spanish clubs.
Reportedly, the 25-year-old has agreed to a five-year deal with Real Madrid, along with a €150 million signing bonus and an annual salary of €15 million, which is relatively lower than that of top earners at Los Blancos, such as Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Negotiations regarding image rights and other personal terms are currently in progress. In the midst of this, the 2018 World Cup winner was seen at Barcelona airport, signing autographs for fans and taking pictures with them before flying back to France on Wednesday after a couple of days of holidaying.
Mbappe’s Barcelona appearance leaves fans in splits
Kylian Mbappe’s appearance outside Barcelona airport surprised many fans, as he was returning to his club commitments after spending time in the Catalan nightclubs. He is preparing for the upcoming Ligue 1 fixture against Stade Rennes at Parc des Princes on Sunday. His sighting sparked reactions from the soccer community on the internet.
A netizen commented, “This would be the steal of the century. Not ruling out the possibility of the French international joining a Real Madrid rival would indeed be an epic deal.”
“Nothing is final until it’s final 👀 Remember, underestimating the underdog is never wise,” another user replied, cautioning not to underestimate Barcelona and emphasizing that nothing is concluded until it’s official.
A third fan, making a jab at Barca’s financial situation with affording Mbappe, wrote, “Barcelona would have to sell their new stadium to afford Mbappe.” highlighting skepticism about their capability to make such a high-profile acquisition.
Where will Kylian Mbappe ultimately end up? Make sure to tell us what you think in the comments.
