Real Madrid are reportedly ready to cash in on midfield pair Federico Valverde and Aurelian Tchouameni in a bid to cobble together the funds to land Kylian Mbappe this summer after the Frenchman announced his decision not to extend his contract with PSG.
Mbappe only penned a new deal with PSG 12 months ago, but told them in June that he will not be taking up the optional extra year in the deal agreed in 2022, meaning that his contract is set to expire in 2024 as things stand in a move that could leave the best player in the world a free agent.
PSG are understandably railing against this. Speaking at the beginning of July, president Nasser Al-Khelaifi explained ‘We want him to stay but he can’t leave for free’.
‘It’s for him to decide for himself next week, or at most in the next two weeks, and if he does not want to sign a new contract, the door is open.’
‘It’s like that for him and everyone else. Nobody is bigger than the club, no player, not even me. It’s very clear.
It means that Mbappe could well leave this summer, but Real Madrid have already shelled out most of their budget on Jude Bellingham, who arrived in a 100m euro deal earlier in the transfer window.
Liverpool have long been linked with Valverde, while Arsenal are reported to be keeping tabs on Tchouameni and both sides could well dig into their pockets should either become available, despite having spent a combined £300m already this summer.
Should they be placed on the market, it is believed that they will be available for between £68m and £85m, which could entice yet more bidders to the table.
