Exploring Kylian Mbappe's options after Real Madrid reportedly withdrew their interest in signing him.
Reports coming out of Spain indicate that Real Madrid are no longer interested in signing Paris Saint Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe has been a subject of constant and often public interest from Real Madrid for at least the last two years and even though it hadn't happened yet, the entire football world (probably including Mbappe) expected the move to materialise at some point.
But if the most recent reports are to be believed, then Real Madrid have abandoned project Mbappe, meaning the plans of the player have taken a massive hit as it is his dream to represent Los Blancos.
It also leaves a decision to be made on his future, in the final year of his PSG contract, what real options does Kylian Mbappe have going forward? We will explore that right now.
21:03 - 04.11.2023
Official: Real Madrid rubbish Mbappe links
Real Madrid put out an official communication to deny negotiations with Kylian Mbappe.
What next for Kylian Mbappe after Real Madrid snub?
At this moment Kylian Mbappe still has two options which are to either stay at PSG or leave the club for somewhere else now that Real Madrid are reportedly no longer interested.
Let us examine what is the likely domino effect of him making either choice and how realistic the options in front of him are.
Kylian Mbappe could stay at PSG
Mbappe signed a three-year contract extension in 2022, with two years guaranteed and the third year being a player option to put an end to the intense saga surrounding him that summer as everyone thought he was definitely leaving to join Real Madrid.
The 24-year-old had publicly declared at the start of the season that he had no intention of taking up his player option and would leave as a free agent at the end of the current season.
His announcement led to him being frozen out of the PSG first team and moves to Real Madrid and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal were mooted but never materialised.
Now that the Real Madrid option is no longer a real possibility according to reports, this could make Mbappe change his mind about triggering the one-year extension at PSG.
The 24-year-old reminded PSG of his importance to the team with 12 goals in 14 games so far after he was reinstated into the team having been initially frozen out.
13:26 - 13.08.2023
FOOTBALL Kylian Mbappe: PSG swallow their pride and return wantaway French forward to first team squad
The French champions have made a turnaround over their stance regarding Mbappe who has been the subject of transfer speculation all summer
Staying at PSG would not be a bad idea if Real Madrid are no longer interested as Mbappe would have a chance to continue building on his legendary status at the French club.
The 24-year-old is the club captain and has 224 goals and 99 assists in 274 games for the Parisiens, having also won all trophies but the elusive UEFA Champions League.
Staying back to help win the Champions League would cement his status as a legend of the game which might just a be challenging enough to tempt him to stay.
Kylian Mbappe could still leave PSG
The option of leaving PSG for another team is still very much a possibility even if Real Madrid is no longer the destination but where else would Mbappe go?
Barring any new contract, Mbappe is allowed to leave the club this summer as a free agent which makes a potential departure much easier than it would have been.
Considering that PSG turned down a £137 million bid from Real Madrid while Mbappe only had one year left on his deal, imagine what he would cost ideally at 24 years old with years left on his contract, no one would be able to afford him.
The fact that there is no transfer fee doesn't mean Mbappe will come cheap though, his sign-on fee and wages would be astronomical and only affordable for a select few European clubs minus Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich are the only team in Germany that can afford him but history and precedence have shown they would never break the bank for him which rules them and the Bundesliga out as a potential destination.
Mbappe wouldn't leave PSG to go to another French club anyway and besides none of them can afford him anyway which leaves Italy, Spain and England as the remaining potential destinations.
In Italy, maybe only Juventus have the financial muscle and clout required and that is a huge 'maybe' considering how far the club has fallen which also rules out the Serie A.
With Real Madrid reportedly out of the reckoning, Barcelona are the only other Spanish team big enough for Mbappe but the recent financial struggles at the club cancel out the deal if Mbappe's allegiance to Los Blancos doesn't first.
This leaves England as the only other possible destination for Mbappe if he doesn't join Real Madrid or stay at PSG and the allure of the Premier League makes that a real possibility.
A decent number of English clubs can afford Mbappe, the entire top six which includes both Manchester teams, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham (if we're being generous) but would the Frenchman want to play for any of these clubs?
Signing for any Premier League club would instantly make Mbappe the face of the league which is a great thing for him but Manchester City are the only real option out of the aforementioned six teams in comparison to Real Madrid and PSG.
So there you have it, Mbappe's real options if Real Madrid is no longer on the table are to stay at PSG or leave for Manchester City if Pep Guardiola is even interested to begin with.