Manchester United are ready to challenge Real Madrid for the signing of Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, as they aim for a tent during the summer transfer window in 2022.
The Red Devils have already made some smart moves in the current market by signing Edinson Cavani to a one-year deal, landing the long-term goal of Jadon Sancho and securing the services of Real defender Raphael Varane.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjær is already planning for the future, and he and the club have listed PSg forward Mbappe as a goal for next summer, according to ESPN.
Man Utd are aware that their chances of pulling off this massive coup are small, given the very public connections between the Frenchman and the Spanish giants Madrid. Mbappe has never ruled out a move to Los Blancos, who are even prepared to start talks with PSG this summer, which was recently revealed by 90 Minutes.
However, PSG have made it clear that they do not intend to sell Mbappe in the coming weeks, which is in the hands of the Red Devils. Man Utd would not be able to compete with Madrid if they offered a mega transfer fee for the World Cup winner, leaving the Spanish capital as his only destination.
PSG’s refusal to negotiate this window means that the Premier League giants can play the long match in this deal and join the fight for Mbappe when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. The 22-year-old’s contract expires in July 2022, which means he can leave Paris without getting them a fee.
Mauricio Pochettino has also announced that Mbappe will stay at the club for the rest of the campaign, regardless of whether he decides to sign a new contract.
The French giants hope to persuade him to extend his stay at the club, and club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi believes Mbappe has no excuse after showing his ambition by signing Lionel Messi. Should he still decide to leave next year, Man Utd is waiting.
The Red Devils chose not to spend big money on a center forward this summer, instead offering Cavani a new contract with the club. This move gives them time to build towards a superstar next summer, and there are a number of big names available.
Erling Haaland’s release clause will become active, so that they can negotiate directly with the player and close Borussia Dortmund out of the talks. Harry Kane and Lautaro Martinez are also targets if they stay at Spurs and Inter respectively this season.
Man Utd are curious about the possibility of attracting Mbappe to the Premier League, but 90 minutes understand that he has never shown any desire to join them. Although they know that Madrid is his favorite destination right now, the time is on United’s side to convince him to come to Old Trafford.
The signing of compatriot Varane is a step in the right direction to show his intention, while tying the Frenchman Paul Pogba to a new contract would also send out the right message.
Convincing Pogba to stay would help their case / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
Man Utd’s participation in the Champions League also allows them to prove their strength in Europe, and a title challenge may be enough to show that the club is on an upward curve – compared to Madrid, which is in financial crisis during Florentino Perez’s reign.
The desire to work with the French legend Zinedine Zidane in Madrid has also been removed from the table, after he left the club in the summer and was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.
