REAL MADRID are set to offer PSG Brazilian wonderkid Vinicius Junior plus cash in a bid to finally force through a deal for Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.
Zinedine Zidane has so far been frustrated in his pursuit of his compatriot but Paris Saint-Germain’s failure to tie him down to a new deal has sparked fresh hope of a summer move.
Spanish reports claim Real Madrid are set to tempt PSG into a deal for Kylian Mbappe by offering Vinicius Junior
In Thursday’s edition of Spanish newspaper AS, they claim Madrid have been told to include Vinicius, 19, before any transfer could be discussed.
PSG sporting director Leonardo, who has previously called for Zidane to keep his mouth shut on Mbappe’s future. sees his Brazilian countryman as a future world-beater.
The French giants’ interest in Vinicius stretches back to last summer when they were keen to include the winger in any potential deal for Neymar.
The former Flamengo star, who is under contract until 2025, has struggled under Zidane this season and has yet to play a minute of football in Real’s last three games.
I’ve known him for a long time. I’ve been in love with him for a long time, but as a person first.
Zinedine Zidane on Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe remains Madrid’s No1 target this summer, with the ex-Monaco ace passing his Spanish audition with flying colours after inspiring PSG’s 2-2 Champions League comeback at the Bernabeu last month.
Ahead of the game, Zidane said of the French international: “I’ve known him for a long time.
“I’ve been in love with him for a long time, but as a person first.
“We know the player he is and his importance to his team. We have to be ready.”
Zidane is not the first Madrid man to express his love for Mbappe recently after Eden Hazard said he’d love to play with the Frenchman and backed him to be the best player in the world soon.
But the comments have angered those at PSG, with boss Thomas Tuchel saying: “I do not know in what way or how much Zinedine Zidane is in love with Kylian.
“But the most important thing is that he is our player. Often, we love lots of things that we ultimately cannot have.
“I was in Geneva with Zidane two weeks ago.
“We did not discuss Kylian. If a question is asked about Kylian, he is French — what can he say?
“Everyone knows he loves Kylian, like many coaches. I am not upset.
“Kylian is our player. We are trying to create a team with him. I do not want to consider Kylian departing any time soon.”
Zinedine Zidane has publicly shared his admiration for his compatriot MbappeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
PSG boss Thomas Tuchel tells Zinedine Zidane to stop fantasising about prising away forward Kylian Mbappe
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
