The negotiating team representing Kylian Mbappe possesses a wealth of experience and a reputation for toughness. His father, Wilfried, displayed this resilience when he dismissed Caen’s attempts to sign his son at the age of 14, likening the club’s efforts to “trying to catch a shark with a fishing rod” after their initial offer. Similarly, Fayza Lamari, the formidable half of Mbappe’s parental unit, showed her determination when she rejected Chelsea’s offer for a second trial in 2011. Lamari’s message to the club’s youth department chief, Jim Fraser, conveyed a sense of urgency: “If you want to sign him, you sign him now. In five years’ time, you will come back for him for £50m.” Despite this assertiveness, the translation delivered by the French-speaking scout Daniel Boga omitted Lamari’s bold warning.
In the negotiations with Real Madrid, Mbappe’s team, bolstered by lawyers and advisors, have reached a resolution. Although no transfer fee is required as Mbappe’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer, discussions continue regarding his salary and signing-on bonus for Madrid.
The prolonged saga surrounding Mbappe’s contractual status at PSG began in 2021 when PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi stated emphatically that Mbappe would remain in Paris, asserting, “Mbappe is going to stay in Paris. We will never sell him and he will never leave on a free [transfer].” Despite Al-Khelaifi’s stance, Mbappe’s demands have necessitated concessions to ensure the club can uphold its commitment to the fans. Madrid and the world anticipated Mbappe’s departure from Paris in the summer of 2022 when his contract expired. However, Mbappe surprised many by agreeing to a new deal with PSG. Although the jersey Mbappe displayed bore the year 2025, it was a two-year contract with a one-year option, exercisable only by Mbappe.
Mbappe’s new deal with PSG reportedly included a significant salary increase, with the 25-year-old now earning an estimated gross annual wage of €72m (£62m) after taxes. Although this makes him the highest-paid player in European football, it falls short of the astronomical sums commanded by Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbappe’s camp rebuffed a staggering £259m bid from Saudi club Al Hilal, even though it promised him a potential £604m per year.
| Player | Position | Weekly Salary Without Bonuses |
|---|---|---|
| Toni Kroos | Midfielder | £400,000 |
| David Alaba | Defender | £370,000 |
| Luka Modric | Midfielder | £360,000 |
| Vinicius Junior | Forward | £340,000 |
| Jude Bellingham | Midfielder | £340,000 |
| Federico Valverde | Midfielder | £270,000 |
| Kylian Mbappe | Forward | £250,000 |
| Thibaut Courtois | Goalkeeper | £250,000 |
| Antonio Rudiger | Defender | £240,000 |
| Aurelien Tchouameni | Midfielder | £210,000 |
| Eduardo Camavinga | Midfielder | £210,000 |
| Rodrygo | Forward | £210,000 |
| Dani Carvajal | Defender | £170,000 |
| Ferland Mendy | Defender | £170,000 |
| Dani Ceballos | Midfielder | £170,000 |
| Lucas Vazquez | Defender | £150,000 |
| Kepa Arrizabalaga | Goalkeeper | £150,000 |
| Nacho | Defender | £140,000 |
| Eder Militao | Defender | £120,000 |
| Brahim Diaz | Midfielder | £120,000 |
| Fran Garcia | Defender | £86,000 |
| Arda Guler | Midfielder | £86,000 |
| Andriy Lunin | Goalkeeper | £46,000 |
| Joselu | Forward | £40,000 |
In February, it was reported that PSG offered Mbappe a similar salary to his previous one, along with a retroactive loyalty bonus of €80m (£69m) that he had previously waived. Following discussions with PSG, Mbappe ensured the club would not suffer financially from his departure on a free transfer.
Mbappe’s signing-on bonus with Madrid reportedly exceeds the £86m he received from PSG and is set to be divided over a five-year contract. Despite Madrid’s recent focus on nurturing young talent, their highest-paid players remain veterans like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, both of whom are in the final year of lucrative contracts. Kroos, in particular, could see his contract extended to coincide with Mbappe’s arrival, ensuring he remains the highest-paid player at the club, despite Mbappe’s significant signing-on bonus.
