Despite missing out on Mbappé - Real Madrid continue to outplay Barcelona in transfer market
In typical fashion, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez cut straight to the point when he appeared on Spanish television on Wednesday night to discuss the club’s failed attempt to sign Kylian Mbappé. Despite spending much of the year expecting the French striker to make the move to Spain on a free transfer, Los Blancos and much of European football were stunned to see Mbappé sign a contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain and remain in the French capital.
"His dream was to play at Real Madrid, we wanted to do it last August and they didn't let him leave, he kept saying he wanted to play at Madrid and like 15 days before he changed the situation," said Perez in an interview with El Chiringuito. "This is not the Mbappé I wanted to bring, he is another one, who must have changed his dream. He changes, he is offered other things, he is pressured and he is already another footballer. There is no one at Real Madrid above the club. He is a great player, he can win more than others, but it is a collective sport and we have values and principles that we cannot change.”
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However, while the Madrid boss may be struggling to hide his contempt for PSG and their star striker, back in the Spanish capital, the reigning Champions League and La Liga champions are quietly getting on with business as usual. And, as a result, not only does Carlo Ancelotti’s team look suitably reinforced but continues to put distance between themselves and a Barcelona side that haven’t even got going in the window yet.
Madrid making strides - Barca still chasing rumours
Whether or not Madrid would have made the signings they have done with Mbappé at the club is anyone’s guess, but there’s no doubt that the transfer dealings Los Blancos have made since the window opened have been very impressive. Not only have Ancelotti’s side added some serious defensive reinforcements in Antonio Rüdiger from Chelsea but their €80 million capture of Monaco midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni could prove to be a masterstroke in the club’s efforts to find long-term replacements to Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
This, undoubtedly, contrasts rather dramatically with Barca’s dealings in the transfer window to date. Although the Catalan giants have done well to move on Philippe Coutinho and Dani Alves, there’s still the matter of Antoine Griezmann and his obscene wages returning to the club after his loan deal at Atletico Madrid. And, most worryingly of all for fans of the club, there have been no new signings made at all. Despite constant rumours of Andreas Christensen, Raphinha, Marcos Alonso and Robert Lewandowski all arriving at the Camp Nou this summer, Barca have yet to turn any of that promise into reality. And until they do, they’ll remain some distance behind a Madrid side that have long since gotten over losing out on Mbappé.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Dec 20, 1998 (25)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2024
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €180.00m
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 10.06.1959 (64)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Real Madrid
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- In charge since:
- Jul 1, 2021
- Total Market Value:
- €1.04bn
- Competition:
- LaLiga
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Carlo Ancelotti
- Squad size:
- 24
- Latest Transfer:
- Kepa Arrizabalaga
