New update on Real Madrid pursuit of Kylian Mbappe emerges

Real Madrid aren't closing the door on possibly acquiring Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe this summer. 

ESPN's Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez reported Monday that Real Madrid remain "hopeful" they can land Mbappe ahead of the start of the 2023-24 season.

Mbappe admired Real Madrid during his younger days and seemingly was headed to the Bernabeu last summer before he signed what was initially thought to be a three-year contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain in May 2022. 

However, it's now known that was a two-year deal with a player option for a third season, and Mbappe informed Paris Saint-Germain via a letter earlier this month he won't exercise that option. 

The 24-year-old World Cup winner insists he will spend another campaign with Paris Saint-Germain before possibly leaving the club on a free transfer next summer. 

Kirkland and Faez noted, though, that Real Madrid haven't yet filled the squad gap created by the departure of striker Karim Benzema. Benzema left the Spanish giants for Saudi club Al-Ittihad following this past season. 

The ESPN story says Paris Saint-Germain "would like to avoid losing" Mbappe for nothing in 2024 and also pointed out that "Madrid are on alert and hopeful that their long-term pursuit could bear fruit this summer, in the knowledge that PSG would like to ease their spending in line with financial fair play restrictions." 

Kirkland and Faez also reported that a source said "a drawn-out summerlong transfer saga is not expected" as it pertains to Mbappe's future. 

For a piece published on June 15, Kirkland, Faez and Julien Laurens of ESPN reported that Paris Saint-Germain were "willing to listen to offers of around" $161.5M for Mbappe. 

That would be considered an astronomical fee for a player not signed beyond the upcoming season, and it's unclear if Real Madrid or any other club would match such a monstrous valuation. 

Individuals such as Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol previously suggested Mbappe's camp may simply be attempting to secure a big-money extension from Paris Saint-Germain between now and June 2024.