Real Madrid president swerves Kylian Mbappe question

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez refused to be drawn into a discussion about Kylian Mbappe, as speculation over the forward's future continues.

The French superstar is into the final months of his Paris Saint-Germain contract and is now free to discuss terms with foreign suitors over a summer transfer, should he wish.

Real Madrid and Liverpool have both long been tipped as possible next destinations for the man who finished third in the 2023 Ballon d'Or rankings. However, PSG remain hopeful he will still sign another extension on his mega-money deal in the French capital.

Recent reports have claimed that Mbappe has refused to comply with Madrid's attempts to set a deadline for a decision on a pre-contract offer, while the Spanish club are said to be exploring other targets like Erling Haaland.

Meanwhile, L'Equipe have claimed that Liverpool have 'never broken contact' with the player's entourage. However, the costs involved in any move for Mbappe would be astronomical.

With Real Madrid still seen as the frontrunners to land the former Monaco star, club president Perez was asked about the story following the Spanish Supercopa victory over Barcelona at the weekend.

“I’m happy because the fans are delighted to have seen a good game.” Perez said, via Marca.

“It’s not the day to talk about Mbappe, it’s the day to congratulate the players we have, not those other teams have.”

Recent stories have claimed that Madrid too have become more hesitant over a move for Mbappe due to his massive demands, with Los Blancos now less willing to put up the €35m a year plus €130m in signing-on bonuses previously on offer. 

Meanwhile, former PSG player and manager Luis Fernandez has backed Mbappe to stay in Paris.

The 64-year-old cited PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi's recent comments and the direction of the team as reasons why the club's star asset will ignore interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool to renew his contract.

"[I think that] he will stay at PSG," Fernandez – who won the Cup Winners Cup in 1996 – told beIN Sports. "When I hear everyone's statements, from the president of PSG, who takes the initiative and talks about the issue, when I see Kylian doing the same after a match about a signed agreement, when I see that PSG wants to invest in this new technical centre.

"We have brought Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele, who are friends that Kylian wanted to have by his side. I think he will stay at PSG next season."

Publicly, Mbappe insists he is yet to make a decision over his next move.

Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool would only entertain a move for Mbappe in the event that Mohamed Salah were to leave the club in the summer. With the Egyptian leaning towards a contract renewal, that possibility appears increasingly remote.