Arguably the most prolific goal-scorer in the world right now, Kylian Mbappe is a man who has been in the headlines for the past few weeks. The Frenchman has been at loggerheads with his club Paris Saint-Germain over contract situation. While Mbappe is looking to leave the club in 2024 as a free agent, PSG are keen to either extend his contract or sell him to the highest bidder in the current transfer window. As the impasse over the situation continues, the French club has reportedly received a 'world record' bid of 300 million euros for the highly sought-after forward from Saudi Arabia.
Paris Saint-Germain have given Saudi club Al Hilal permission to speak to Kylian Mbappe after tabling a world record 300-million-euro ($333 million) bid, a source close to the negotiations told AFP on Monday. The Riyadh-based club has made a formal offer by letter, the source said, but such a transfer could only be made with the agreement of Mbappe who has never expressed an interest in moving to the fast-growing Saudi league.
"PSG have given Al Hilal permission to negotiate with Kylian Mbappe about a transfer for 300 million euros," the source said. Mbappe has one year left on his contract with PSG, who want him to leave now rather than for nothing next summer.
But Mbappe is refusing to sign a new contract and the French champions believe he has already struck a deal to move to Real Madrid next year.
Even football transfers expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Ligue 1 giants have recieved a bid of this stature from Al-Hilal.
However, it looks fairly implausible to see a player like Mbappe leaving for a Saudi Arabian club at a time when his career is only going up.
A few days ago, PSG decided to leave Kylian Mbappe out of their squad for a pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea, casting further doubt on the forward's future at the French champions.
PSG gave no reason for the omission of France's captain but 24-year-old Mbappe has said for weeks that he is refusing to sign a new contract.
His omission from the tour will fuel fresh speculation that he could leave to join Real Madrid before next season.
Real Madrid have been eager to sign the player for a long time and many believe an agreement of some sort is already in place between the two parties. Mbappe's current PSG contract expires next summer but has the option to exten it by one year.
With AFP inputs