Page 48 - Soccer360 Issue 105

KYLIAN MBAPPE SPOTLIGHT
LEFT:
Kylian Mbappe, PSG captain during the Uber Eats Ligue 1 match between PSG and RC LENS
“THERE IS
THE SMALL
MATTER OF A
REPORTED €80M
EURO LOYALTY
BONUS TOO IF HE
STAYS.”
continuous rumours have existed for an age that suggest talks between Mbappe’s representatives have already taken place and a deal close to being agreed.
For that reason alone, Real Madrid have always been in pole position for his signature. There is also the fact that they
are one of a very exclusive group of clubs in world football with the financial muscle to pull off a deal. Along with the potential for
a not insubstantial transfer fee, the package that will bring Mbappe to the 14-time champions of Europe is sure to involve eye- watering sums in terms of wage demands, agent fees, and various additional terms. The contract is also likely substantial sign-on fee, which according to various reports this is believed to be in the region of €150m -
far usurping his loyalty bonus to stay for another year in Paris - and a clause for Mbappe to keep a majority of his own image rights. This is something Real Madrid rarely agree on so it will have been a test for the hierarchy and president Florentino Perez
to see how far they are willing to push their own traditions and standards. But in order to get arguably Europe’s hottest property, perhaps sacrifices will have to have been made.
The same goes for the player, too. One thing that Real will not be able to do is match Mbappe’s current salary at PSG. With French tax laws as they are, Mbappe’s net income after tax is believed to be about €56m per year. At Real, it is more likely to be around €35m per annum. This is still an enviable sum, and the question was whether the 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner would be willing to take a pay cut as he comes into his prime years. As it turned out, the lure of the Spanish giants was just too much to turn down.
“MBAPPE TURNED DOWN A MOVE TO SAUDI CLUB AL HILAL IN THE SUMMER OF 2023”
48 SOCCER360