Chelsea and Man Utd pushing for Kylian Mbappe transfer coup in January

Posted Thursday, September 09, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Kylian Mbappe is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the current season.

Chelsea and Manchester United will attempt to nip ahead of Real Madrid and sign Kylian Mbappe on a pre-contract agreement in January, according to reports. The 22-year-old, who will be a free agent at the end of the campaign, is widely expected to join the Spanish giants ahead of next season.

Real Madrid made a late attempt to bring Mbappe to the Bernabeu during the summer transfer window, but Paris Saint-Germain refused to entertain any bids for their prized asset.

A huge offer worth around £189million was reportedly turned down by the French giants on deadline day, with the forward now set to seek a new challenge upon the expiry of his current deal.

He supported Real Madrid as a child and is believed to be keen on joining the club in spite of PSG's best efforts to keep him at the Parc des Princes.

However, it seems as though a Premier League switch could still be on the cards if Mbappe can be convinced to snub Los Blancos.

He will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with a non-French side from January, with United and Chelsea pushing to secure his services at the turn of the year, according to transfer expert Eduardo Inda.

Chelsea and Man Utd pushing for Kylian Mbappe transfer coup in January
Mbappe is expected to leave PSG at the end of the season (Image: PA)

However, Inda has also revealed that a deal with Real Madrid is essentially done and dusted, suggesting that it could be a struggle to force Mbappe into a late change of heart.

"On January 1, there are two possibilities," he told El Chiringuito de Jugones.

"One is that Mbappe signs for the team that he pleases. Chelsea and United are squeezing him, but I think it has been agreed with Real Madrid."

Inda also claimed that Mbappe could leave PSG for a transfer fee in January in order to play for Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout stages, should they progress through the groups.

"Be that as it may, Mbappe has told his team-mates that he has another option," he added.

"He has told them that he would like to come to Real Madrid in the winter market. He could play in the Champions League and Madrid would have to pay a transfer [fee].

"Although it would not be €200m, since he would have six months left on his contract."

It remains to be seen whether United or Chelsea will be able to snatch Mbappe from under the noses of Real Madrid in January, with all roads seemingly leading to an eventual La Liga switch.

Chelsea and Man Utd pushing for Kylian Mbappe transfer coup in January
United and Chelsea are reportedly keen to land Mbappe (Image: PA)

The Red Devils have already bolstered their attacking options with the remarkable signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus during the summer transfer window on a two-year contract.

The mercurial 36-year-old is likely to make his second debut for the club against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Chelsea also moved to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge for a club-record fee of £97.5million earlier in the window.

The Belgian marksman bagged his first goal within 15 minutes of his return to action for the Blues, scoring the opener in their 2-0 win over Arsenal last month.