Kylian Mbappe’s future to dominate transfer window

PARIS – The future of Kylian Mbappe and his protracted courtship by Real Madrid is expected to be the key theme of the transfer window that opened in Europe on Jan 1.

Arsenal’s search for a proven goalscorer to spearhead their challenge for a first English Premier League title since 2004 could also loom large.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are widely expected to let Kalvin Phillips leave, ending a disappointing stay for the former Leeds United midfielder who has failed to make his mark at the world champions.

Much attention though will again focus on Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain’s biggest star and the man who a year ago scored a hat-trick for France in the World Cup final, only to

finish on the losing side.

Real are again the main suitor for the 25-year-old, whose contract at PSG expires in June, but the question remains: Will the 14-time European champions finally get a commitment from the player they have been pursuing for years?

The Athletic reported last week that Real are set to make another approach for Mbappe.

But, considering how their previous pursuit went, they have established a mid-January deadline for the Frenchman to make his decision. He can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with rival clubs from Jan 1.

Marca has said that Real will make contact with Mbappe this week, with fellow Madrid-based daily AS saying Real have sent a pre-contract offer to him on Jan 1.

Mbappe triggers an extraordinary reaction in France, illustrated when President Emmanuel Macron intervened to

persuade him to stay at PSG in June 2022,

when a move to Real seemed almost cut and dried.

Real are not sitting on their hands, though.

Endrick, the latest Brazilian starlet,

will join the club from Palmeiras when he turns 18 in July for a fee reported to be €72 million (S$105 million).

Arsenal’s lack of a goalscoring edge could lead them to plunge into the market. For weeks, their rumoured target has been Ivan Toney, the Brentford forward whose

ban for over 200 breaches of the Football Association’s gambling rules

ends in mid-January.

However, Brentford’s decline in form – which has seen them drop to four points off the relegation places – could persuade the club to hang on to 27-year-old Toney, even in the face of a big offer from the Gunners.

Meanwhile, Phillips was riding high when he joined City on the back of England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, but he has played barely a handful of games for the club and Pep Guardiola has admitted the move never worked out.

Juventus have reportedly been keen to sign Phillips, who is desperate to force himself into England’s plans for Euro 2024, but reports from Italy say the club are cooling on the idea.

A move to Newcastle United looks a more realistic possibility, as the Magpies look to bolster a squad seriously depleted by injuries and the

10-month ban handed down to Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali,

also for gambling.

Eddie Howe’s men have slid down the Premier League table in recent weeks and the Saudi-owned club look badly in need of reinforcements if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Serhou Guirassy, the prolific Guinea international who has scored 17 Bundesliga goals this season for Stuttgart, has also been linked with a move to Tyneside.

Newcastle could also turn to their connections in the Saudi Pro League.

They are allowed to sign players on loan from sides also controlled by their Saudi owners, after a vote by Premier League clubs on a temporary ban on related-party loans failed to receive the required support.

However, one target, Ruben Neves, said in early December he would not accept a move to Newcastle because his family was happy in Saudi Arabia.

Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino could also be on the move as he is reportedly unsettled at Saudi side Al-Ahli.

The Brazilian, 32, could now be heading to their rivals Al-Ettifaq, coached by former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Premier League strugglers Sheffield United are also said to be interested in his services. AFP