Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has already let players know Kylian Mbappe will be at the Bernabeu next season, it has been claimed.
Mbappe, 25, is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season. He had a late change of heart when a Real Madrid switch looked likely in 2022, but is now set to end his stay at the Parc des Princes.
While Madrid remain the front-runners, they aren't the only club to be linked with the World Cup winner. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke about links on Friday, while Liverpool have also been keen on Mbappe in the past.
No announcement has been made by the Spanish side at this stage. However, it appears there has been some movement behind the scenes - something we're sure to hear more about in the coming weeks and months.
According to Foot Mercato, a tweet from Mbappe's international team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni with the popcorn emoji was no coincidence. Perez is said to have shared news of the signing with selected members of the dressing room, and Tchouameni will also become a club colleague of Mbappe if the deal goes through.
Lionel Messi posts emotional message after 'year I will never forget'Both players were part of the France squad which reached the World Cup final in 2022. Tchouameni scored against England in the quarter-final, while Mbappe ended the tournament as top scorer with eight goals.
PSG are already reportedly eyeing up a successor to Mbappe, having strengthened their front-line with the addition of the likes of Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele last summer. One man said to be on their shortlist is Victor Osimhen, though there is also Premier League interest in the Napoli star.
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"With the agreement I made with the president this summer, whatever my decision we managed to protect all the parties," Mbappe said after PSG's French Super Cup victory in January. "And to preserve the serenity of the club for the challenges to come, which is the most important.
"When will I decide? I do not know. In 2022, I waited because I didn't know until May. If I know what I'm going to do, I'm not going to hang around. That does not make any sense. But like I said, the most important thing is to win trophies."
While a move to Madrid continues to look likely, Arsenal boss Arteta laid out his own club's hopes of a deal for Mbappe. "When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation," he said.. "But as you said it looks in a different way. Why not? If we want to be the best team, we are going to need the best talent and the best players, that is for sure."
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