15 Feb 2024 20:29:52
Good evening Ed, are arsenal interested in mbappe or will he be way out of our pay grade thanks Ed.

{Ed002's Note - Kylian Mbappe (S) Wants to move to Real Madrid but for them the financial outlay on the overall package could be too much this coming summer unless they can make significant space in the wage structure. They have made him an offer giving them time to reshape their squad if he agrees a move. There is an outside chance they will look to a deal in January and if they do they look to include a player or two in any deal. PSG would demand Rafa Marin and one of Rodrygo Goes or Vinicius Jr plus a lower fee. It would suit all parties and avoid an auction for obscene wages in the summer - but the player will likely not be open to that. A take it or leave it offer of €130 million signing-on fee, alongside wages of €80 million net per year has been offered by PSG to stay - although Mbappe's representatives are demanding a salary of €75M net a year - so after tax - and €150M signing on fee. Real Madrid will offer perhaps half the wages and will try and negotiate a signing on fee. Image rights will be traded to try and make this work. Al-Hilal had a huge €300M offer rejected and the player may see it as too early for such a move, but they could offer the huge wages being demanded. Newcastle would not realistically be in a position to buy him and any interest from them can be discounted whilst their owners plan to take him directly to Saudi. Realistically, Madrid, Middle East, Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, if they could clear significant wages from the books, are the only viable options although Juventus have a significant tax advantage over the other clubs, but the costs are still huge and they can be discounted. Chelsea could look to striking a deal including a player PSG are interested in but it is likely they will not be offering the desired wages and bonuses – but they could look for a solution - although I think it unlikely. Bayern Munich have added Harry Kane and have other priorities for the summer. Manchester United could potentially move for Mbappe if the ownership issue is completed soon but for now they are concentrating on others and it is unlikely the majority owners would agree to such a financial commitment; and advice being provided to the player would be to ignore any interest from there. Manchester City have a priority to tie down Haaland and remove a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave in the summer at a fixed fee – and they know there is interest in the player – if he were to decide to leave, then Mbappe will become a consideration. I do not see Arsenal or Liverpool committing to such a huge signing on fee, huge cost of wages and bonuses to be able to sign Mbappe. PSG hope that the situation forces Mbappe to invoke a one year extension - and that seems most likely if he does not agree to Real Madrid.}

1.) 16 Feb 2024
15 Feb 2024 23:32:47
Incredible summary, thanks ed002.

Also an incredible snapshot of the excesses of modern football, incidentally.