Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has dropped the clearest indication that Kylian Mbappe is Real Madrid-bound.
Earlier this month it emerged that Mbappe had told PSG that he will not be renewing his contract and will instead move on in the summer.
Mbappe's contract expires at the end of the season and he is widely expected to sign for Real on a five-year contract.
There has been no official confirmation but Enrique has now hinted at Mbappe moving on.
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Mbappe is PSG's talisman and record goalscorer, with 32 goals in as many games in all competitions this season.
But in PSG's latest game against Rennes, the former Monaco man was subbed off in the 65th minute.
PSG were 1-0 down and chasing an equaliser at the time, eventually snatching a point with a 97th minute penalty from Goncalo Ramos.
And afterwards, when asked about Mbappe being replaced, Enrique made a damning admission.
As per Get French Football News, he told a press conference: "It’s very simple, sooner or later, when it happens we have to get used to playing without Kylian. When I want to play like this, I will, when I don’t, I won’t.
“It’s very easy, there are competitions and my intention is not to give ‘free’ minutes, I want maximum competitiveness. Every player has to deserve their playing time.”
Mbappe has been able to speak with foreign clubs since January 1, with Real the most likely destination for him all along.
The World Cup winner looked set to make the move a couple of years back but Mbappe surprised everyone by performing a major U-turn and signing a new deal with PSG.
No repeat is on the cards this time around though, with reports suggesting he will earn £12.8 million a year after tax at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe is also in line to receive an enormous £128 million signing-on bonus.
Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid
Josh Lawless