Manchester United would likely have to sell a number of players in order to raise funds to sign France superstar Kylian Mbappe. The forward looks increasingly likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain and the Red Devils may fancy their chances of luring him to Old Trafford.
PSG have put Mbappe up for sale after he entered the final year of his contract. The Frenchman has made it clear he would not sign an extension to the deal that expires in June 2024.
He has been left out of the PSG squad for their pre-season tour to Japan as they attempt to find a resolution over his future. United are yet to be linked with a move for the striker sensation.
However, a club their size should never be ruled out of the running. Only a few teams in the world would be attractive to Mbappe and United could be one.
They would be able to offer him the huge wages he would demand after breaking their own self-imposed ‘Cristiano Ronaldo rule’ last week when Marcus Rashford penned a mega new contract. However, coming up with a transfer fee PSG would accept would be trickier.
The Ligue 1 champions have not put a public price on Mbappe. However, it would more than likely be well in excess of £100m, perhaps nearer to £150m, despite his contract situation.
United would likely pull the plug on any hopes of signing another striker if they pursued Mbappe. Rasmus Hojlund is currently their top attacking target and Atalanta want around £60m for the young Denmark international.
That money could instead go straight into a potential offer for Mbappe. United are restricted in terms of what they can spend this summer due to Financial Fair Play limitations.
They would need to raise further funds after the arrivals of Mason Mount and Andre Onana at a combined fee of over £100m. But there are some valuable assets that could attract sizable offers from elsewhere.
Harry Maguire could leave after being stripped of the captaincy. The Manchester Evening News claims the England star has been valued at £50m but perhaps nearer £40m would be more realistic, with West Ham among those interested.
Dean Henderson looks set to depart, with Nottingham Forest keen on re-signing the goalkeeper. He could attract a fee of at least £20m.
Winger Anthony Elanga is already set to go after a £15m fee was agreed for him to move to Forest this week. A fourth player possibly heading out of the door is Fred.
The Brazilian is up for sale and United would want around £20m for his signature. Those four departures plus the money which was reserved for Hojlund could see around £145m raised.
That could well be plenty enough to convince PSG to sell Mbappe. It would be difficult for United but not impossible.
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