Kylian Mbappe ‘told PSG pals he WILL play for Real Madrid’ as he runs down contract ahead of possible free transfer
KYLIAN MBAPPE'S free transfer to Real Madrid next summer looks ever more likely amid reports he has told PSG team-mates he WILL make the move.
Real had transfer-window bids of around £137million and £145m rejected and it was also claimed they were considering offering £170m.
Now France striker Mbappe is tipped to wind down his contract, ending in June 2022.
And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insists the 22-year-old has made it clear he is preparing for his "dream" move.
Romano told his : "In the final week of August he told some of his team-mates I'm going to play for Real Madrid... in the dressing room he was telling some of his best team-mates, best friends.
"He really wants to join Real Madrid as part of his dream."
Romano suggests PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi refused to consider Real's offers as he believed losing Mbappe would damage both his and the club's reputation.
The French mega-spenders also hoped Lionel Messi's arrival aside his former Barcelona team-mate Neymar would help persuade Mbappe to sign a new contract.
PSG reportedly wanted Mbappe to accept either a short-term extension, to avoid losing him for free at the end of the season, or a long-term deal.
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They even believed an extended contract could be sorted out before the Euros earlier this summer, only for negotiations to turn sour.
And ex-Monaco speedster Mbappe has said little to suggest he is willing to stay.
Real are also understood to be weighing up summer moves for fellow frontman Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.
And they are also expected to come back in for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.