Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sid Lowe

Real Madrid preparing to announce Kylian Mbappé signing within days

Kylian Mbappé signs a fan’s Real Madrid shirt at France training.
Kylian Mbappé signs a fan’s Real Madrid shirt at France training. He is expected to sign his Real Madrid contract in the coming days. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

Real Madrid intend to announce the signing of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer early this week. The France striker confirmed last month that he was leaving Paris Saint-Germain after seven years – and his mother, Fayza Lamari, has admitted he will be going “where everybody knows” – but there has not been a formal announcement of his destination.

Madrid wanted to wait until their season was over before ­releasing a public statement. With a 15th ­Champions League title secured and the France coach, Didier ­Deschamps, saying he wanted his captain’s future resolved before Euro 2024, Real Madrid are finally in a position to make the announcement, which the club hope will come on Monday.

They do not anticipate being able to present Mbappé until mid‑July because France are preparing for the European Championship. It remains to be seen whether Mbappé will also participate at the Olympic Games in Paris.

After the Champions League final on Saturday, Carlo ­Ancelotti refused to be drawn on Mbappé’s arrival, ­saying he would not talk about any players not in Madrid’s squad, but Jude ­Bellingham said the forward would “take us to the next level”. Mbappé’s arrival will close a seven‑year pursuit by Madrid, and has been the worst-kept secret in football. The 25-year-old forward has reached the end of his contract, meaning PSG will lose on a free transfer a player for whom they rejected a €200m offer from Madrid in 2021.

Mbappé departs PSG having not secured a ­Champions League title in France, and instead joins the record winners.

Madrid will hold a trophy parade in the city on Sunday evening, taking in the city hall, the cathedral, the statue of Cibeles and finally the Santiago Bernabéu.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.