First Neymar, now Kylian Mbappe - PSG line up £160m deal
French side will put Real Madrid's nose out of joint by signing Monaco sensation in another blockbuster deal
First it was nigh-on £200m for Neymar and now Paris Saint-Germain have clinched the signature of Kylian Mbappe for a cool £160m, claims The Sun.
Describing the double swoop as a "blockbuster partnership", the paper says that the French outfit have won the race to the Monaco magician and the 18-year-old "is set to be unveiled as soon as Monday".
Real Madrid made most of the early running for Mbappe but, like a British athlete at the world championships, the Spanish outfit faded as the pressure increased, allowing PSG to steal in and make off with the gold.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Sun says that the PSG players have been informed that Mbappe will introduced to them at the Parc des Princes at the start of next week having successfully completed negotiations with Monaco.
The French champions had wanted to hold on to Mbappe for another season but the Sun says his dad "convinced Monaco to let the youngster leave this summer instead of hanging on for another 12 months". The capture of the young frontman, which is also reported by the Spanish press, completes an extraordinary few weeks in the transfer market for PSG with their total outlay now standing at £372.5m having already signed Neymar, Spanish left-back Yuri Berchiche and Dani Alves.
As for Real, says the Sun, their failure to lure Mbappe to Madrid could have consequences for one English club with the European champions expected now to "crank up their interest in Chelsea's Eden Hazard".
Blues boss Antonio Conte was forced to dismiss speculation earlier in the week that his Belgian playmaker could make the move to the Spanish capital but rumours continue to circulate at Stamford Bridge that Hazard would welcome the opportunity to move to Real.
But hold on one second. Apparently all is not what it seems, with French paper Le Parisien claiming that no deal is in place. News that will be welcomed by the auditors at Uefa, who will have their work cut out investigating PSG's finances if the Mbappe deal does turn out to be genuine.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
2022 World Cup final: Argentina vs. France prediction, preview, team news
feature Mbappé and Messi will go for glory, the golden boot, golden ball, and PSG bragging rights
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
‘Operation stop Mbappé’: how Kyle Walker can be England’s ‘secret weapon’ against France
feature Three Lions prepare to go head-to-head with the World Cup holders
By Mike Starling Published
-
Kylian Mbappé: world’s best football player ‘lights up’ the World Cup again
feature PSG star could make the difference in France’s quest to retain the trophy
By Mike Starling Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Raheem Sterling: Chelsea move ‘makes sense for all’
Why Everyone’s Talking About England star set for return to west London from Manchester City
By Mike Starling Published
-
Life after Roman: Chelsea’s new era begins after takeover is completed
feature Todd Boehly reveals his vision for the club, plus a look at the possible ins and outs at the Bridge
By Mike Starling Published