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Football

26th Jul 2017

Kylian Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid could spell good news for Manchester United

This would make a lot of sense

Robert Redmond

This would make a lot of sense for both clubs.

Real Madrid look set to break the world transfer record to sign Kylian Mbappé.

According to Spanish media outlet Marca, Madrid have agreed to sign the Frenchman from Monaco for £161m

Sky Sports claim the report was premature, and Monaco have yet to agree a fee with Madrid for the 18-year-old, but all signs point to the move happening before the window closes.

The transfer will send shockwaves through football, as the fee is over £70m more than the previous world record fee, when Manchester United paid £89m for Paul Pogba last summer.

Mbappe’s potential move could also determine the future of several other players. The sales of Alvaro Morata to Chelsea for £58m, and Danilo to Manchester City for £26.5m, have helped Madrid raise cash to sign the French forward.

Mbappé’s transfer could also have repercussions for Gareth Bale.

According to ESPN, United are ready to sign Bale if Madrid make the player available this summer.

Jose Mourinho said earlier this week that the club have not tried to sign the Welsh forward because he wasn’t available and he didn’t want to waste valuable time.

“I never felt a desire from him to leave, so why lose time and energy on that? No.”

However, that could change now with Mbappé due to arrive.

Bale experienced an injury-hit season last year, but it could be argued Madrid looked better without the 28-year-old in the side. Zinedine Zidane’s side won the Spanish title and the Champions

Zinedine Zidane’s side won the Spanish title and the Champions League, and did so without Bale for most of the season.

The former Tottenham Hotspur forward is already in competition with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio and Isco for a starting spot, and could find his time at the Bernabeu is over if and when Mbappé’s transfer goes through.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is known to be a fan of Bale, and isn’t shy about spending big money on marquee signings. So, if Bale does move this summer, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ends up at Old Trafford.