Spanish newspaper Marca declares Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid's 'soap opera has reopened'

Spanish newspaper Marca has suggested Kylian Mbappe's future will the story of the summer, with Real Madrid chasing the French superstar after he refused to sign a new deal at Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe dropped the bombshell news this week that he has no intention of signing fresh terms beyond 2024 with the French champions.

The development has put Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United and other top European sides on red alert, with PSG now backed into a corner.

They are desperate not to lose him for free next summer so could look to cash in now, despite Mbappe's declaration that he will stay another season.

The Madrid based newspaper Marca led their front page with Mbappe's future, leading with the headline La Partida del Verano - 'The game of the summer'.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez, the key figures in a potential transfer, were pictured on playing cards alongside Mbappe.

Marca claim the latest development means that the 'soap opera between Mbappe and Real Madrid is reopened'.

The newspaper claimed that PSG would listen to offers and would not veto talks with Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants are claimed to be waiting to see how PSG will respond to Mbappe's declaration he wants to stay in Paris for the final year of his deal, but highlighted their need for a new forward following Karim Benzema's departure.

Real have held a long-standing interest in the France international and are expected to be his preferred destination when he leaves PSG.

Mbappe made a dramatic U-turn in 2021 after an approach from Real Madrid in 2021 and had been expected to join them when his contract expired a year later.

He opted to stay at PSG, though, and agreed the extension that takes him to 2024.

Real were believed to be preparing a move for Mbappe next summer, when they believed he’d have just one year left on his deal.

But news that Mbappe will not trigger a 12 month option on his current deal has resulted in Real considering whether to bring those plans forward a year.

Mbappe has spoken about his future in an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

'For a player like me, the goal is to win everything. And we knew that at PSG there were shortcomings that sooner or later we were going to end up paying for,' he said.

'I didn't say I wanted to be sold to Real Madrid or want to leave, but only that I won't activate the option on the extra year.

'With PSG, there has never been any talk of a renewal. Messi gone? Bad news, now needs to be replaced.'

On Tuesday, Mbappe responded online to a report that he wanted to join Real, replying: 'LIES. I have already said that I will continue at PSG where I am very happy.'

The cost of such a transfer plus Financial Fair Play restrictions mean Chelsea and Manchester United, though both admirers, declared a move to them as 'very unlikely' while Bayern Munich also ruled themselves out.

Madrid are not going to make the first move. They are still stung by missing out on him twice in the last two years.

But if Mbappe is given a magic number by PSG – the sum they will accept to lose him – then he will take that to Florentino Perez and if the fee is feasible for Real Madrid, bearing in mind that PSG are not likely to be open to being paid in installments, they get the player they thought they would have to wait another year for.

If the figure set is €200m (£171m) then for all that Madrid have vowed not to give PSG a single euro for their player it will be seriously considered.

Mbappe was seen in good spirits during his return to France's national team training on Tuesday, despite the latest developments over his future.