Rival watch: Real Madrid set to complete the signing of PSG superstar next week

Even as Barcelona face a major setback in their pursuit of Erling Haaland, their rivals Real Madrid have seemingly taken a step closer to signing their primary summer transfer target, Kylian Mbappe.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward is in the final few months of his contract at the club and has been heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu since last year. The Merengues even had multiple offers of around €200 million rejected by the French outfit in the summer of 2021.

However, Florentino Perez & co. could now be poised to sign the 23-year-old on a free transfer. Talks over a Bosman move have been going for a while now, but the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash between Real Madrid and PSG had led to a brief pause.

Real Madrid won the tie despite losing the first leg, eliminating Les Parisiens from the competition 3-2 on aggregate. Both of PSG’s goals across two legs were scored by Mbappe.

Negotiations have intensified since and as per a report from MARCA, Real Madrid intend to close the deal by Friday next week and have the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner sign a contract. However, an official announcement will be made only at the end of the season.

As per the report, Mbappe would stand to be paid a massive signing-on bonus of around €60-80 million. In addition to that, the prolific superstar would be taking home net wages of €25 million per year.

Since joining PSG in 2017, Mbappe has made 206 appearances, plundering 157 goals and setting up 78 more for his teammates. He also has 24 goals in 53 matches for the French national team.

PSG have made multiple attempts to convince him to sign a new contract. But, as things stand, the 23-year-old’s move to Real Madrid is inching closer by the day, with the deal expected to be finalised before next weekend.