February 20, (THEWILL) – French football star, Kylian Mbappe is close to finalising a long-anticipated transfer to Real Madrid, according to sources close to the negotiations. Although some reports claimed that the 25-year-old had already signed a contract, a few key details still need to be settled before the deal can be completed.
Central to the discussions are the distribution of Mbappe’s image rights and his desire to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics with the French national team. Real Madrid are reportedly willing to cede a larger portion of his image rights than they have for any player in the past – possibly as much as 60% to secure Mbappe’s signature. They are also open to allowing him time off to play in the Olympics, which are being hosted in his hometown.
Mbappe himself has taken charge of the negotiations this time, in contrast to previous transfer windows when his mother and agent Fayza Lamari controlled the process. Lamari is still pushing for the most lucrative deal possible in terms of image rights and marketing opportunities. However, sources say she has been forced to respect her son’s wish to finally join his dream club after years of interest from Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants have made it clear that while Mbappe will become their highest-paid player, his salary will not drastically exceed his teammates’. The club prioritises squad harmony and will not let any individual player disrupt that ethos. With Mbappe’s camp slowly acquiescing to these conditions, his sensational move to the Bernabéu seems imminent.
As with all their transfer dealings, Real Madrid are likely to officially confirm the signing only at the end of this season. Still, the saga that has surrounded Mbappe’s future for so long now appears to be reaching its inevitable conclusion.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
