The entire sports scene was in shock yesterday when it was reported that Al Hilal made a world record bid of €300m for Kylian Mbappe, a bid that would make Mbappé the most expensive player fee in history, overtaking the $262m PSG paid for Neymar’s rights when the team signed the Brazilian from Barcelona in 2017.
Despite PSG confirming the bid and also permitting Mbappe to have talks with Al Hilal, it looks like Mbappé will not be interested in the offer.
The 2018 World Cup winner is in a contract standoff with PSG after his decision to not take up the option of a 12-month extension on his deal.
Instead, he plans to walk away as a free agent at the end of the upcoming season, when he is widely expected to join Real Madrid.
According to ESPN, should Mbappé go to Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer, he would potentially get a €100m signing-on fee. He would also get an €80m bonus this September should he opt to stay with PSG.
PSG cut Mbappé from their pre-season tour of Japan on Saturday, with the French club determined to find an offer for him unless he can be convinced to sign a new contract.
PSG Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has however made clear his determination to take a tough stance and there have been suggestions Mbappe would not be selected for an entire year if he refused to break the present impasse. That eventuality would hurt his hopes of playing for France at Euro 2024.