Florentino Perez has no doubt risked angering Paris Saint-Germain by claiming that he will sign Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid, just not yet.
It’s nearly two years ago since Real made a huge move for Mbappe despite him having just a year left of his contract at PSG at the time.
The French side were so desperate to keep him that they rejected a move in both transfer windows and hoped to get him to sign a new deal.
That looked unlikely for most of last season but just before Los Blancos won the Champions League final in Paris, the man from France’s capital city confirmed he was staying there for three years, much to the annoyance of Real fans.
Despite the fact that he’d still only be 26-years-old at the end of his three year deal there was some talk that the Spanish giants would never go for the striker again.
Club president Perez wasn’t exactly complimentary of the World Cup winner’s decision to stay at the Parc des Princes but did at least offer some encouragement for the future.
In the end it turned out that Mbappe had only signed for another two years meaning that a transfer this summer was possible, or again he’ll be available for nothing in a year’s time.
With Real in need of a new striker following the departure of Karim Benzema could they be signing the former Monaco ace this summer?
Perez was asked if he was going to sign Mbappe, cheekily answering: “Yes, but not this year.”
The France star will be available without a transfer fee in a year’s time and can even agree a pre contract agreement in six months time.
Real would no doubt be favourites to sign him in the future even though there has been interest from both Liverpool and Manchester United in the past.
Benzema’s move to Saudi Arabia has left Carlo Ancelotti’s team in need of a striker in the meantime and they have also been linked to Harry Kane.
The Spanish side have already spent a lot of money to secure Jude Bellingham will sign from Borussia Dortmund this summer, again beating interest from England.
Roberto Firmino has been suggested as a cheaper option to move to the Bernabeu this year, after he left Liverpool at the end of their campaign.