There are transfer rumours and there is plain old fake news, reports talkSPORT, which is one of several outlets to carry the response of Real Madrid to claims in the French press that they have agreed a €272m (£240m) deal for PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe.
The teenager scored a sensational double in France’s 4-3 win against Argentina in the World Cup last 16 at the weekend, and he will be spearheading Les Bleus’ attack tomorrow afternoon in their quarter-final clash against Uruguay.
His form in the World Cup has sparked a flurry of rumours suggesting he could be snapped up by one of the continental powerhouses.
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On Tuesday night the French media said Real - currently in the throes of negotiating Cristiano Ronaldo’s £88m departure to Juventus - were about to wrap up a deal. They even claimed the record transfer fee would be paid in four instalments and the news went round the world last night.
But in a rare response to a rumour, Real Madrid have released a statement that contradicted the speculation.
“Given the information published in the last few hours regarding an alleged agreement between Real Madrid C.F. and PSG for the player Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid would like to state that it is completely false,” the statement said.
“Real Madrid has not made any offer to PSG or the player and condemns the spreading of this type of information that has not been proven by the parties concerned.”
Ronaldo soap opera continues
As for Ronaldo’s future at Real, The Sun says that his agent is heading to Madrid for “crunch talks” with the European champions.
Jorge Mendes will meet Bernabeu president Florentino Perez, with the latter reported to be tired of the “soap opera” that surrounds Ronaldo, AS reports.
In addition, says AS, the Portuguese star is miffed that “certain promises over a salary increase were not kept by Madrid”.
The Daily Mirror for its part says that Ronaldo has had a medical at Juventus and the paper quotes comments made by the club’s managing director, Giuseppe Marotta, who when asked if the superstar was poised to sign, replied: “I won’t speak [about that].”
Rivaldo: Neymar should sign for Real
Brazil legend Rivaldo believes Neymar should leave PSG for Real Madrid, Spanish publication Marca reports.
In an interview with German newspaper Bild, the former Barcelona star said Neymar “should play for one of the biggest clubs in the world”.
Rivaldo added: “At Paris Saint-Germain, with new coach Thomas Tuchel in charge, he will never be declared the best player in the world.”
