Kylian Mbappé (25) will not make a summer move to Barcelona. That’s according to manager Xavi, who played down the La Liga club’s chances of making big-name signings in the context of financial difficulties.
Mbappé is, as of 1st January, free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with another club. Mundo Deportivo reported that chas-strapped Barcelona would look to profit from Mbappé’s contract situation by making a move to sign the France captain on a free.
However, RMC Sport quickly shut down the link, reporting that the prospect of the Catalan club making a move for Mbappé was fanciful. Barcelona’s current financial context is the biggest barrier to the move, as Xavi has now confirmed. “Erling Haaland or Mbappé? We can’t think of Haaland or Mbappé. Barcelona can’t afford these players now, unfortunately,” said the Barcelona manager on Wednesday.
Whilst Mbappé would be available on a free, the signing-on fee, as well as the Frenchman’s considerable wages make a move for Barcelona completely unfeasible financially. Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Saudi Arabian clubs have been strongly linked with a move for Mbappé, whilst Paris Saint-Germain remain optimistic of the forward signing a renewal.