Real Madrid will be hoping their already drawn-out pursuit of Kylian Mbappe is not kept spinning for any longer than necessary when they give the French captain a hard contract deadline in January, as per reports.
The PSG superstar has long been linked with a move to the Spanish capital in what would be a sensational move, with both parties having seemed close to agreements in the past.
Mbappe has less than a year left on his current contract at the Parcs des Princes, which threw up plenty of speculation over his future in the summer with the club insisting that he signed an extension or leave.
With players allowed to negotiate free transfers from January 1, Real Madrid are thought to be preparing a move for Mbappe, but with a hard deadline that will allow no wiggle room, according to Spanish reports.
Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe is thought to have long been Real Madrid’s No 1 transfer priority
Florentino Perez and Co will give the French forward a tight deadline to agree to a move, as per reports
AS claim that from January 1 – when PSG are no longer able to interfere in negotiations for their most prized asset – Real will give Mbappe 15 days to agree to their terms.
The French talisman will undoubtedly be on lower wages than he is currently on at the mega-rich Ligue 1 titans.
The last two summers have seen both Mbappe and Los Blancos involved in transfer sagas, with all things seemingly pointing towards a stunning move on both occasions.
Yet Real were left red-faced on both occasions, and will likely be hoping to avoid a third successive summer failing to land a player they have made no secret of wanting more than any other.
Should the player once again delay proceedings, then the Spanish giants are growing increasingly prepared to admit defeat in this venture, and move on.
AS adds that although still only 25, Mbappe would arrive at an older age than the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo (18), Jude Bellingham (19) or even Cristiano Ronaldo (24).
And while Mbappe is the No 1 target, Los Blancos are already lining up their second option in Manchester City forward Erling Haaland who would leapfrog Mbappe as top priority should the Frenchman evade their clutches once again.
It is unclear whether the Norwegian would be persuaded with a move, although he does keep a holiday home in Spain where he spends time whenever he is given time off, as per reports.
Real Madrid are currently top of La Liga and looking for a record-extending 15th Champions League crown
Erling Haaland is thought to be the Plan B option for Real Madrid should they fail in their pursuit of Mbappe
