While last year saw the most expensive transfer of all time take place, this summer seems like it’s going to be even crazier, in huge part because of a certain Kylian Mbappé.
With only four months of regular first-team football under his belt, the 18-year-old is making a lot of noise on the transfer market, already said to be the subject of three bids over €100m.
One of them has come from Arsenal, while another was from Real Madrid. As for the third? Some think Manchester City, while others believe it to originate from the other club in Manchester, the one with José Mourinho as manager.
With FFP regulations not as strict, the Blues are allowed a bit more wiggle room in the transfer market, and the French magazine claim contact has already been made, with a meeting between Mbappé and Antonio Conte apparently scheduled to take place after the international break.
While Chelsea could afford the €130m+ required to attempt to convince Monaco to say yes to a transfer, Roman Abramovich and co. have another plan, one that could be a bit more enticing for the Ligue 1 club.
Le10 report that Chelsea would be prepared to include Michy Batshuayi in the deal, whom the principality club are already said to be interested in.
Losing Mbappé would be a huge blow, but picking up a 24-year-old striker, as well as, 
let’s say, €80-90m, might not be the worst deal in the world for them on paper.
However, reports from France over the last few days suggest Monaco are prepared to be very stubborn about the Mbappé situation, with the player himself wanting to stay at his current club for an extra year in order to continue his development.
It seems that, unless the deal of the century lands on their desk, and Chelsea’s, as tempting as it might be, isn’t, we’ll be seeing Mbappé in Ligue 1 again next season.
As we explained last week when news of the Arsenal bid filtered through, it’s what’s best for everyone.
