Manchester United are reportedly lining up a blockbuster bid for Paris Saint-German star Kylian Mbappe to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Red Devils are ready to tear up Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where he stunned Man United with his shock outburst and slammed the club’s infrastructure and ambition whilst admitting he has no respect for manager Erik ten Hag. That would see the club need a new striker to lead their attack in 2023.
According to The Daily Mirror, Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has emerged as a shock target for Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
Mbappe, 23, one of the world’s best players, was on the verge of joining Real Madrid last year, but backed out on the proposed move, choosing instead to sign a bumper new contract extension with PSG until 2025 just six months ago. Real Madrid’s interest in the French World Cup winner has cooled ever since, opening the door for Man United to steal a march on their rivals.
Although it will be difficult for the Red Devils to lure Kylian Mbappe away from Les Parisians mid-season, with the French champions scheduled to play Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 tie in February, the club are set to explore the possibility, the report adds.
Kylian Mbappe to Man United—Should they break the bank for him?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s position at Man United is considered indefensible after his incendiary TV interview, with Erik ten Hag reportedly telling the club bosses the Portuguese forward should never play for his team again. Regardless of what Ronaldo’s situation is, Ten Hag remains keen to add a goal-scorer to his ranks.
With Anthony Martial injury-prone and Marcus Rashford preferring to play more off the left than through the middle, United need to strengthen with a proven goalscorer in January, if they are to aid Ten Hag’s rebuilding process while maintaining their push for the top four and continuing in the Europa League, where they will play Barcelona in the next round.
Kylian Mbappe has recently emerged as Man United’s top target to replace Ronaldo. The Frenchman is believed to still be unhappy at PSG after demanding to leave last month, which has opened the door for United to swoop in.
United, one of the richest clubs in world football, possess the financial might to pay the £150million-plus transfer fee to land Mbappe. They are among the few clubs that will be able to pay the forward’s £500,000-a-week wage demands, along with significant performance-related bonuses, to tempt arguably the world’s best player to make the move to Old Trafford.
Kylian Mbappe has 190 goals in 237 club appearances in his still fledgling career, and his pedigree in front of goal mixed with his dribbling skills, creativity, acceleration, physical strength and versatility to play anywhere across the front-line, should make him a top fit in Ten Hag’s system at Man United.
If United are ambitious enough to fight Man City and Liverpool for top prizes, they must break the bank for Mbappe next summer.
