- Vinicius Jr was wanted in the Middle East
- Marquee signings being sought in that region
- French superstar has no interest in move
World Cup winner Mbappe has emerged as a top target for teams in the Middle East after they failed to lure club colleague Vinicius Junior away from Santiago Bernabeu. It was claimed that a €300m (£259m/$348m) fee could change hands there, with a €1 billion (£863m/$1.2bn) contract being lined up.
No deal was done for the Brazil international, but the Saudi Pro League remains in the market for “high-profile players that can elevate the league’s global image”. According to Defensa Central a €350m (£302m/$406m) offer has been readied for Mbappe.
The France international would be handed terms that “match or come very close to Ronaldo”, with the five-time Ballon d’Or-winning Portuguese superstar working on a record-breaking dealat Al-Nassr.
No sale will be sanctioned as Real Madrid consider their French ‘Galactico’, who has been handed the No.10 shirt in the Spanish capital, to be “absolutely untransferable” as their “biggest commercial and media asset”.
Mbappe has also “shown no inclination” that he wants to leave the Bernabeu. He is focused on “establishing his legacy among Europe’s elite” and believes his efforts to be in peak condition for the 2026 World Cup “would be compromised by a move to the Saudi league”.
Mbappe is only 26 years of age and sees no reason to walk away from elite competition in Europe. He considers the timing of interest from the Middle East to be completely wrong, with focus locked on helping Real Madrid to become a dominant force at home and abroad.
