Four-Way Tug-Of-War Underway For Half-A-Billion-Dollar PSG Star Kylian Mbappe

The two Manchester clubs are set to join Liverpool and Real Madrid in the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.

21-year-old Mbappe recently told the French champions that he wants to part ways at the end of the season - news that put a number of European heavyweights on red alert.

And according to reports, it appears the World Cup winner could end up in Manchester at either United or City by the start of the next Premier League campaign.

It's understood reigning Premier League champions Liverpool and Spanish big spenders Real Madrid are also in pursuit.

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But with two years still left on his contract in the French capital, Mbappe's highly-sough-after signature would come at a cost.

PSG chiefs will be hoping to get around £300million (AU$525m) in exchange for their young star's services.

That, alone, would shatter the existing transfer record set when Neymar was sold to PSG from Barcelona back in 2017 for a staggering €222m (£205m or $361m).

And that ballpark fee for Mbappe isn't even taking into consideration his astronomical wages.

The former Monaco man is currently raking in £15m-a-year ($26.5m) at the Parc des Princes - and he'd undoubtedly be expecting those wages to go up over time given his age.

It's a mega-money investment to say the least, but one that would be worthwhile in the long run for whichever potential suitor is lucky enough to pinch him.

For Real Madrid, whether they'd like to admit it or not, they're still looking to fill the gaping void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Current Premier League kings Liverpool have shown interest in Mbappe before following the Frenchman's glowing praise of Jurgen Klopp earlier this year.

But it seems the two Manchester rivals have appeared as genuine favourites to sign the wantaway star.

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City boss Pep Guardiola is desperate to guide his side to silverware on the European stage and the addition of Mbappe could help them achieve that - plus they've certainly got the deep pockets to afford him after seemingly missing out on signing Lionel Messi.

As for United, Ed Woodward and Co still haven't been able to lock down main target Jadon Sancho after months of negotiations and could turn their attention elsewhere.

Granted, Mbappe's fee would be significantly more than Sancho's but you wouldn't put it past the Glazers to pull out the cheque book for a signing of this magnitude.

Besides, it's not like United haven't done it before.

Topics: Manchester City, Liverpool, Football, Manchester United, PSG, Transfers, Kylian Mbappe, Australia, Real Madrid

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry