Real Madrid have been pursuing Kylian Mbappe for years, and they have finally succeeded in signing him. The 25-year-old Frenchman’s arrival was confirmed on Monday, following a previous unsuccessful attempt in May 2022.
Back in 2022, Mbappe opted to renew his contract with Paris Saint-Germain instead of moving to Madrid. This time, the signing went smoothly, generating great excitement among Madrid fans, especially considering the young talent already present in the team that recently won the club’s 15th European Cup/Champions League.
Although the free-agent transfer had its share of intrigue, it was not uncontested. This is the full story of Madrid’s successful pursuit of Mbappe.
The beginning of 2024 marked the start of the end, as discussions at Madrid’s Valdebebas training center led to a final decision to sign Mbappe. Some senior figures were initially hesitant due to concerns about potential repercussions and timing, both from a sporting and financial perspective.
Despite these reservations, club president Florentino Perez pushed for another attempt, offering Mbappe a lower contract with a signing bonus of €130 million and a yearly salary of €26 million. Mbappe, eager for a new challenge, stopped to speak with reporters in early January, hinting at his impending departure from PSG.
As negotiations progressed, tensions between Mbappe and PSG arose, culminating in a public announcement of his departure after PSG’s elimination from the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund. Madrid’s board informed coach Carlo Ancelotti about Mbappe’s imminent arrival, and the deal was finalized in February under a veil of secrecy.
Now that the transfer is complete, fans can eagerly anticipate Mbappe’s debut in the iconic white kit of Real Madrid.
(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)