According to Melbet Affiliates, Real Madrid is leaning toward signing Kylian Mbappe as a free agent rather than spending heavily for an immediate transfer. This plan aligns with Mbappe’s own intentions, and as with many things in football, it all comes down to money. Mbappe’s relationship with Paris Saint-Germain has deteriorated beyond repair. Though he refuses to renew his contract, he also insists on staying with the club for now. PSG wants to sell him, but the most interested buyer—Real Madrid—would rather wait to get him for free.
The only scenario that might change this plan, Melbet Affiliates notes, is if Mbappe openly declares a desire to join Real Madrid right away. In that case, the club might reconsider its approach. Financially, delaying the move makes much more sense. A transfer now would cost Madrid an estimated €550 million over the life of the deal, averaging over €100 million per season. Waiting for a free move, even with higher wages, would result in a significantly lower total cost.
If the club proceeds with a free signing later, the estimated amortized cost could drop to around €70 million per season, with a total expenditure near €350 million. For Mbappe, staying where he is has its perks. PSG previously offered him a highly favorable contract loaded with salary, loyalty bonuses, and renewal incentives—allowing him to earn nearly €200 million. Leaving early would mean walking away from a large portion of that amount.
Mbappe has already confirmed he won’t extend his PSG contract, which has angered the club’s management. PSG issued a firm ultimatum: renew now or leave. They won’t let him depart without a transfer fee. Real Madrid remains his most likely destination, and reports suggest the club is ready to offer a massive wage package. But such a deal would disrupt Madrid’s current wage structure and could create tension within the squad.
In recent times, Madrid has adopted a more conservative approach to transfers. Competing with oil-rich clubs has forced them to back out of high-profile bidding wars. A recent financial report revealed an unexplained €120 million payment, with the club declining to comment.
Melbet Affiliates believes that money may have gone toward repaying previous loans or fulfilling obligations tied to financial partnerships. Madrid had secured upfront cash from global funds with long-term repayment clauses, and those bills are now coming due. While things may not go as smoothly as in the past, Real Madrid is still working to build its future—one calculated step at a time.
The only exception, as Melbet Affiliates notes, would be if Mbappe publicly declares his desire to join Real Madrid immediately. In that case, the club might reconsider its timeline. The financial implications are clear: signing Mbappe this summer would cost Madrid an estimated €550 million over five years, averaging €110 million per season. By waiting until next year to sign him for free, even if his wages increase, the overall cost would be substantially lower.
Real Madrid projects that a free transfer next year would bring the amortized cost down to €70 million per season, with a total outlay of around €350 million. Mbappe, too, sees the financial advantage in staying put. Thanks to the lucrative contract PSG gave him to convince him to stay, he stands to earn close to €200 million through a combination of salary, loyalty bonuses, and renewal incentives. Leaving now would mean forfeiting a significant portion of that income.
Previously, Mbappe made it clear he will not extend his contract with PSG—a move that infuriated the club. PSG has issued an ultimatum: either he renews now or leaves this summer. They refuse to lose him for free next year. While it’s no secret that Real Madrid remains his likeliest destination, reports suggest the club is prepared to offer him €50 million in annual wages. That figure would shatter their existing salary structure and could stir unrest in the locker room.
In recent years, Madrid’s approach to big-name transfers has clearly become more cautious. Competing with state-backed clubs for top talent has led Los Blancos to walk away from several deals. A recent financial report even revealed a mysterious €120 million expenditure listed without explanation—something the club declined to comment on.
Melbet Affiliates suspects that these funds were used to repay earlier loans or cover obligations tied to partnerships in the United States. Years ago, Madrid secured cash from financial institutions with the promise of future repayments, which now seem to be catching up with them. Things don’t always go according to plan, but staying true to one’s course is what counts. Ultimately, this financial strain is limiting Madrid’s flexibility in the transfer market. The era of splashing cash without restraint may be over—for now.