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Real Madrid panic as PSG ready to cash €300m on Mbappe

According to a report from MARCA, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is set to meet with the leaders of Paris Saint-Germain today

Paris Saint-Germain will take the money for Kylian Mbappe wherever it comes from. The superstar forward has been on the market for less than a week, and the suitors have started queuing up. The first to move was Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who offered PSG, and Mbappe, an unprecedented figure to coax the player to the Middle East.

Despite animosity between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the Parisians will have no qualms about accepting the bid, and who can blame them? A club, who is not a direct rival, is handing them €300 million (£259m/$333m) for a footballer. Players aren’t worth that. This is a cash commitment that simply cannot be beaten.

PSG have made it clear to Mbappe that they don’t care where the money comes from. They are selling to the highest bidder, and someone has already fielded an offer that simply no one else will touch.

But it’s not that simple. Mbappe, if reports are to be believed, has made it clear that he would rather sit on the bench — and wait for his contract to expire — than play for Al-Hilal. The Frenchman has coveted a Real Madrid move for years, twice rejecting the Spanish giants in favour of money. However, now the moral principles are really kicking in. Around $2.1 million (£1.6m) per day, it appears, is just far too much.

But the real losers here might just be Madrid. It had been expected that they would sign Mbappe on a free in 2024. But the departure of Karim Benzema — ironically, to the Pro League — has left them with a hole to fill, and since Mbappe made it clear that he would be on the market more immediately, it was assumed that Madrid would pay up, ideally at a discount price.

Now, though, competition has emerged. Los Blancos are being outbid, outthought, and potentially left facing a year, or longer, with a glaring hole in their side, while watching their dream target spend time elsewhere.

The contract
On paper, this should make sense. Al-Hilal have reportedly offered Mbappe a one-year contract, theoretically opening the door for him to play less than 12 months overseas before finally suiting up at Santiago Bernabeu. It would be a highly-paid holiday before the real stuff begins.

Yet it’s hard to trust such a promise. With that money, in such a lavish lifestyle, in an improving league, one year could well become two, or perhaps three. Once Mbappe sets foot in Saudi Arabia — if he does — then the mandate of a one-year excursion seems less likely. Unwritten promises are seldom fulfilled in the footballing world.

The exact contract details are yet to be made public. That is, of course, for Mbappe to negotiate — if he desires. But the broad outline suggests that Al-Hilal are offering the player more money, and more perks, than PSG ever could. The salary itself, a cool €700m (£605m/$776m) per year, also includes image rights, a sticking point of his negotiations with both PSG and Madrid last summer, when the forward made a last-minute U-turn and opted to stay in Paris for, theoretically, two more years.

So, Mbappe would increase his salary by 1000 percent, and also be free to hold on to all of his sponsorships — while also pursuing others. This says nothing of the life of luxury, god-like status, and constant adulation he would receive in the Pro League.

If this potential move is a money-making decision, Mbappe can have as much of it as he likes. Further reports have suggested that Al-Hilal would be more than open for the Frenchman to pen a multi-year deal, too. This is a one-year pledge that could quite comfortably become far more.

Madrid can’t risk him going somewhere else
It’s a transfer, then, that would require immense amounts of trust from Madrid. Rarely are player pathways so clear than that of Mbappe to the Bernabeu. With most stars, there is some guesswork, or jeopardy involved. Erling Haaland, for example, had multiple suitors before picking Manchester City. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami move was impossible to call until the last hour before it materialised.

But it is common knowledge that Mbappe wants to be a Madrid player. He quite literally wrote a book about it. Madrid, meanwhile, have been quietly confident about the whole thing. Even when Benzema announced his sudden departure a few months ago, there was comfort to be found in the fact that Mbappe wanted out. His whole public plea to leave was effectively a message to Madrid.

Los Blancos have become complacent in this knowledge. They haven’t pursued any of the other big names on the market this summer, on the understanding that Mbappe would soon arrive. Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Randal Kolo Muani and others have all flown by on the assumption that Mbappe would be wearing white by August.

But now, if Mbappe does go somewhere else, the whole transfer policy needs re-evaluating. An unplanned, unsanctioned move will need to happen. And it’s during those scrambles for imperfect fits that budgets and negotiating positions go out of the window. This could get very messy, very quickly.

Ancelotti needs a goalscorer
In the first half of their first pre-season contest against AC Milan on Sunday, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti deployed a new lineup . Once a 4-3-3 loyalist, he switched to a two-striker system, starting Brahim Diaz and Joselu up front. The results were lacking.

Joselu ran a lot, but didn’t get into the right spaces for Madrid’s technical midfielders to find him. Diaz, for his part, looked lost, a No.10 asked to play as a second striker. The whole thing didn’t exactly inspire confidence, and Los Blancos trailed, 2-0, at half-time.

The second 45 minutes were more encouraging. Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo entered the fold, and Madrid scored three against Milan’s second-string defence. But impactful as the subs were, neither of the Brazilians are natural strikers. Both, arguably, prefer an assist.

It was, admittedly, just the one game. Still, if there were already doubts about the lack of goals in this side, they were only worsened. Here is a team that certainly needs a striker, Mbappe or otherwise.

The good news is, there are other options available. Kolo Muani, Dusan Vlahovic, Goncalo Ramos, and — for a lot of money — Osimhen are all available. Any of those would provide an immense upgrade to this side. In an Mbappe-less scenario, Madrid would probably be delighted with bringing one of them in.

All of them would perhaps be a more natural fit to replace Benzema, too. Osimhen, in particular, figures to be an enticing fit alongside Vinicius and Rodygo. Still, despite his 31 goals and Serie A winner’s medal, the Nigeria star is not Mbappe. None of the alternatives are.

Forced into spending more than they want
This has already been an expensive transfer window in the Spanish capital. Club president Florentino Perez, a famously shrewd negotiator, spent big on Jude Bellingham, splashing an initial €103m (£88m/$110m) to bring the Englishman to Madrid. He followed that with a not-insignificant deal for Arda Guler, a transfer that reportedly cost $45m (£35m) after signing on fees and money paid out to the Turkish teenager’s entourage.

Madrid have no problem spending big — they have proved as much in the past. But they don’t like getting ripped off. There is a complacency that comes with being the Real Madrid brand. They are not to be outspent or pushed around. It is, in their eyes, a privilege for a player to wear white, and the club’s divine right to snatch the world’s best. Negotiations take time, but Madrid always get the deal they want. It’s something of a misguided sentiment, but it’s the closest thing to actual ‘club DNA’ in real life.

It would be something of an insult, then, for Los Blancos to have to stretch their budget. However, in this case, they have no choice. The striker market is unpredictable, but the fact that Atalanta want a minimum of €70m (£60m/$78m) for Rasmus Hojland, who scored 13 league goals last year, is indicative of how expensive a potential addition might be.

Of course, Madrid can pay up. But that doesn’t mean they’ll want to. Perez likes to throw cash around sometimes, but he also spends smartly, almost always at the right price. The specifics of this deal, whoever it would be for, appear beyond his control.

The 2024 problem
The worst nightmare, though, could conceivably happen here. Madrid could overpay for a striker who is nowhere near as good as Mbappe. They will pretend to be happy with the player, who will undoubtedly have to play next season, if not longer, burdened by the narrative that he was second, or even third-choice.

But what if Mbappe makes a U-turn anyway? What if, the player who is known for changing approaches and exercising his power as a player, changes his approach and exercises his power as a player? Mbappe could commit to a multi-year deal in Saudi Araba, and decide after one season that the Pro League doesn’t suit him. That ‘I want out’ interview is basically already written, a cry to Perez, Madrid, and Madridistas to embrace him once again.

Then Madrid have a real problem. Mbappe would perhaps be available on a free, but command an immense signing bonus and frightening wages. Even Los Blancos wouldn’t be able to afford him. In such a scenario, they’d have to watch Mbappe go elsewhere once more, all while reassuring the world that they never wanted him anyway.

And it appears to be careening that way. PSG will hold out for as long as they can and take the big offer. Mbappe could well be playing in the Saudi Pro League next year. In 12 months, Madrid could be watching him enter the market again. And that time, should it come, even the most powerful club in football won’t have the finances to make it happen. Their predestined signing would have to go elsewhere once more.

Goal.com

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REVEALED! 10 Highest Paid Footballers In 2024: Mbappe Drops Down, Messi Missing

10 Highest Paid Footballers In 2024: Mbappe Drops Down

Footballers have seen their wages skyrocket over the last few decades and a lot of clubs are willing to offer eye-watering contracts to big-name players.

While the Premier League and La Liga used to be the biggest spenders in terms of player wages, the Saudi Pro League have flexed their financial muscles in the last two years.

Note: All figures mentioned are before tax and don’t include any sponsorship and endorsement deals.

10. Kevin De Bruyne – £400,000-per-week
De Bruyne has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Manchester City and is earning £400,000-per-week, making him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

But his contract is due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season and the 33-year-old has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, which would move him further up this list.

“At my age you have to be open to everything,” De Bruyne said. “You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.

“If I play there for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money. Before that I had to play football for 15 years. I may not even reach that amount yet.”

9. Ivan Toney – £407,708-per-week
One of seven Saudi Pro League players on the list, Toney left Brentford in the summer and completed a £40million move to Al-Ahli.

The 28-year-old striker got a substantial pay rise, going from just £20,000-per-week in England to £407,708-per-week in Saudi Arabia.

His contract makes him the highest-paid English player in the world, ahead of the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.

He can also earn an additional £101,168-per-week in bonuses, taking his potential salary to £508,875-per-week.

8. Kylian Mbappe – £499,446-per-week
Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer following the expiration of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain and immediately became the highest-paid player at the Bernabeu.

But he actually took a pay cut to secure his dream move, going from £1.15million-per-week in France to £499,446-per-week in Spain.

The France international does have a number of performance-related bonuses in his contract and can earn an additional £646,003-per-week.

His base salary will see him earn £25.9million-per-year and if he triggers all of his bonuses it’ll reach £59.6million-per-year.

7. Robert Lewandowski – £532,689-per-week
The highest-paid player in Europe’s top five leagues, Lewandowski joined Barcelona in 2022 and his contract was signed in a way which would see his salary increase year-on-year.

After earning £332,911-per-week in 2022/23 and £432,800-per-week in 2023/24, the striker is now being paid £532,689-per-week but he was willing to take a pay cut.

“He’s a player committed to the club and I can assure you of that,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta said.

“When he heard that we had to make some efforts to reach the Fair Play to register players, he told us he could lower his contract in order to help the club.”

“I really appreciate it, but I told him it wasn’t necessary. He’s very committed to the club and he’s also demanding with the team, with himself and with his teammates. We’ve gotten a good performance out of him and I’m sure that this will be Lewandowski’s best year.”

Robert Lewandowski has made a decision on his Barcelona future

6. Kalidou Koulibaly – £554,585-per-week
After spending the 2022/23 season at Chelsea, Koulibaly left Stamford Bridge and signed a three-year contract at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

The centre-back is pocketing a reported £554,585-a-week in Saudi Arabia, making him the highest-paid defender in the world.

“I can’t deny it,” he said when asked about the money. “I will be able to help my whole family to live well, from my parents to my cousins, and support the activities of my Capitaine du Coeur association in Senegal.

“We started building a clinic in my parents’ village. I have many projects to help young people. I don’t like being on the bench doing nothing. I prefer to go where I am really wanted.”

5. Sadio Mane – £639,291-per-week
One of two Al-Nassr players on this list, Mane joined the Saudi Pro League side in the summer of 2023 after leaving Bayern Munich.

He signed a three-year contract and nearly doubled his salary, going from £351,610-per-week in Germany to £639,291-per-week in Saudi Arabia.

But the Senegal international hasn’t forgotten his roots and has reportedly put an estimated £1million into funding new schools and hospitals in Bambali.

4. Riyad Mahrez – £834,275-per-week
Mahrez won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup with Manchester City in the 2022/23 season before completing a £30million move to Al-Ahli.

“I was offered four years in Saudi Arabia, in a Muslim country where I can definitely protect (and provide for) my family,” he said. “There was also a new challenge, and a new project. So, I decided to leave, it wasn’t a big deal.”

The Algeria international is now earning £834,275-per-week and £43.38million-per-year, making him Africa’s highest-paid footballer.

3= Karim Benzema – £1.59m-per-week
After enjoying 14 trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, Benzema decided to join Al-Ittihad on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.

He was already on a lucrative £383,574-per-week contract in Madrid but the Saudi Pro League side took it to a whole new level.

The 36-year-old striker now earns £1.59million-per-week in the Middle East and is the joint-second highest-paid footballer in the world.

3= Neymar – £1.59m-per-week
Neymar left Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and joined Al Hilal in a deal worth an initial £77.6million and another £8.4million in add-ons, making him the most expensive signing in Saudi Pro League history.

Alongside the transfer fee, Al Hilal also shelled out a significant pay packet as they are giving him a reported £1.59million-per-week.

The Brazil international was paid a total of £82.6million during his first year at the club but made just five appearances in 2023/24 after sustaining an ACL injury.

His contract is due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season and has recently been linked with both Santos and Inter Miami.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – £3.19m-per-week
After joining Al Nassr on a free transfer in January 2023, Ronaldo regained his status as the highest-paid footballer in the world.

He put pen to paper a two-and-a-half-year contract worth in the region of £3.19million-per-week. That works out to an astonishing £12.76million-per-month and £165.8million-per-year.

“I came to win, to improve the league,” Ronaldo said when asked about his decision. “I want to leave a legacy. That’s what I want.

“They say I’m finished, that I’m only here for the money… but I still feel the passion. They don’t believe it, but I’m here to win.”

The 39-year-old striker has now scored over 75 goals for the club and helped them win the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.

 

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Jurgen Klopp’s Massive Net Worth, Million-Pound Spanish Mansion And Relationship With Wife

Jurgen Klopp has made a surprising return to football just months after his tearful goodbye from Liverpool. The German concluded his nine-year tenure at Anfield at the close of last season, passing the baton to Arne Slot.

His exit was met with heartfelt tributes from Reds supporters worldwide, who expressed their gratitude for his remarkable accomplishments in Merseyside, notably triumphs in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Despite declaring that he would be taking a well-deserved break after leaving Liverpool, it took only four months for the 57-year- old to embark on his first new venture post-Anfield.

Express Sport provides an in-depth exploration of Klopp’s latest position in football, as well as his life within and beyond the sport where he has left an unforgettable imprint.

The German was unveiled as Red Bull’s new ‘Global Head of Soccer’ on Wednesday, signalling his comeback to football following his departure from Liverpool last summer. Although this new role deviates from his typical managerial responsibilities, he will undoubtedly have quite the job on his hands when he begins his new role on January 1st, reports the Mirror.

Klopp will supervise Red Bull’s network of clubs including Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Bragantino. While he won’t be engaged in the daily operations of individual clubs, his role will involve providing support to sporting directors to utilise his extensive footballing network to assist in scouting the sport’s top talent. He will also contribute to the training and development of coaches.

Immense net worth
Klopp boasts an impressive financial standing. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his fortune at a staggering £41.8million ($50million), placing him among the elite of the world’s highest-earning football managers.

Reports from Sport published that Klopp’s annual earnings at Anfield hit the £18.5m mark. Beyond his substantial managerial salary, Klopp has secured several high-value endorsement deals with brands such as Opel, Erdinger, VR-Bank, Snickers, Deutsche Vermogensberatung, and previously Puma.

Currently, he represents Adidas as an ambassador, frequently showcasing their gear on his Instagram profile.

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How FC Barcelona Turned €0m Into €240m

Barcelona’s ability to develop talent through La Masia is paying off handsomely once again.

Over the past few years, three young talents—Pau Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal, and Gavi—have experienced remarkable surges in their market values, transforming the club’s investment of almost nothing into an astonishing €240 million.

These players have become some of the hottest young prospects in world football, showing just how vital La Masia is to Barcelona’s success on and off the field.

Pau Cubarsi – From €1.5m to €30m

Young defender Pau Cubarsi has seen his value skyrocket in recent months. Back in December 2023, Cubarsi was valued at just €1.5 million.

While this wasn’t insignificant for a young, unproven defender, his progression in the senior team and his outstanding performances have led to a massive jump in his value. As of today, Cubarsi is now worth an impressive €30 million.

The rapid rise in Cubarsi’s market worth is a testament to his solid defensive abilities and his adaptability. The 17-year-old has quickly cemented his place as a reliable option at the back for Barcelona.

His composure, vision, and defensive intelligence have caught the attention of scouts and managers alike, pushing his market value up at a phenomenal rate.

With his current trajectory, his worth is expected to rise even further as he becomes a regular for both club and country.

Lamine Yamal – Breaking records with €120m valuation

Arguably the most notable rise in value belongs to forward Lamine Yamal. His journey from promising academy talent to one of football’s hottest prospects has been nothing short of extraordinary.

By the time Yamal made his senior debut, he was valued at just €25 million, a decent figure for a teenager making his first steps into top-flight football. By December 2023, his value had doubled to €60 million, reflecting his growing influence in the team.

However, the real explosion in Yamal’s market value came soon after, with his current valuation sitting at a staggering €120 million. This makes him not only one of the most valuable young players in the world but also one of the most valuable players in general.

At only 17, Yamal is already being compared to some of the best forwards in the world, and his value will likely continue to rise as he continues to develop considering that Paris Saint-Germain are right on his tail.

Gavi – €90m despite injury woes

Young midfielder Gavi has also seen his market value grow despite having been sidelined for nearly a year due to injury.

When Gavi first burst onto the scene, like Yamal, he was valued at around €25 million. His breakthrough performances in midfield, showcasing a blend of aggression, technical ability, and leadership, quickly earned him a much higher valuation.

Today, Gavi is worth €90 million. This is particularly impressive considering his injury troubles, which have kept him off the pitch for an extended period.

Despite this, Gavi remains a highly valued asset for Barcelona, thanks to his previous displays and his potential to return even stronger.

His resilience, combined with his tactical understanding and energy in the middle of the park, makes him a vital part of Barcelona’s future.

 

Player valuations obtained from transfermarkt.com on the date of publication.

 

 

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