Kylian Mbappe told to reject Real Madrid, in shock transfer U-turn this summer

Kylian Mbappé of PSG react during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Brestois 29 at Parc des Princes on January 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Liewig - Corbis/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Former Arsenal icon Robert Pires has urged Kylian Mbappe to renege on his decision to join Real Madrid and pursue a move to Liverpool instead.

It was announced in February that Paris Saint-Germain sensation Mbappe had agreed terms on a much-anticipated move to the Bernabeu worth an eye-watering £203 over five years between his wages and a nine-figure signing-on fee – and that’s before even taking his cut of his image rights into account.

Nonetheless, countryman Pires wants Mbappe to reconsider if the dotted line remains unsigned ahead of his departure from Paris this summer.

Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah would be dream team, says Robert Pires

Mo Salah

Pires wants to see Mo Salah play with Mbappe (Image credit: Alamy)

Pires believes that Mbappe should regard the opportunity to play alongside Mo Salah at Liverpool as an irresistible opportunity.

Pires played at Arsenal alongside Mbappe’s hero Thierry Henry from 2000-2006, and told French outlet Le Media Carré (as relayed by Goal.com): “I’m sorry, Kylian, but you weren’t the first player to say no to Real Madrid.

“I don’t know what decision he will make in the end, but I turned Madrid down because I had two other options. I’m sure that if I didn’t have the opportunity of going to Arsenal or Juventus I would have gone to Real Madrid, that’s for sure.

Robert Pires celebrates after scoring for Arsenal against Chelsea in the Champions League in March 2004.

Arsenal legend Robert Pires rejected Real Madrid (Image credit: Getty Images)

"I would like to see him at Liverpool. It’s a great family club, there’s a good structure, no pressure, the fans are level-headed... And I think a Salah-Mbappe partnership could be really explosive. I think he is capable of rejecting Real Madrid."

Mbappe will be away representing France at Euro 2024 when his PSG deal comes to an end this summer, hoping to add to his 2018 World Cup medal and 2022 World Cup runners-up gong, on top of his numerous club honours.

France will contest group D with Poland, the Netherland and Austria.

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Luis Enrique also wants Mbappe to snub his move to Real Madrid, which will surelyhappen, despite Pires' and Enrique's entreaties. However, his move could prompt some attacking sales from the current Real Madrid squad.

Meanwhile, Mbappe is being tipped to lose out on this year's Ballon d'Or to a future teammate.

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.