When Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid, it looked as if the stars had finally aligned.
Mbappe was a long-term target of the then European champions, who had waited it out to sign him on a free transfer once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired.
Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid issues laid bare
Mbappe arrived at Los Blancos just weeks after they claimed a record-extending 15th Champions League and had wrested their La Liga title from arch-rivals Barcelona.
The forward’s personal return at the Bernabeu has been promising with 85 goals across his 100 appearances to date, breaking the 40-goal barrier in successive seasons.
However Mbappe’s stock has plummeted as Madrid face up to a second campaign ending with no major honours and discourse raging within its inner sanctum.
The appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa as interim head coach following his former teammate Xabi Alonso’s sacking has only increased reports of dressing room unrest.
Mbappe is alleged to have clashed with a member of the coaching staff in training ahead of their trip to Real Betis, where he suffered a hamstring injury last month.
Madrid fans are equally unimpressed and have questioned the 27-year-old’s commitment to the cause after he travelled to Sardinia for an approved break period.
Pictures of Mbappe aboard a yacht in the luxury Italian destination with his actor girlfriend Ester Exposito surfaced last weekend, just before the club faced Espanyol.
His representatives insisted the criticisms stem from ‘an over-interpretation’ of his recovery period but some Madridistas suspect he is saving himself for the World Cup.
An online petition calling for Mbappe’s departure as the ‘best for the club’s future’ has since gone viral and generated more than 33 million signatures at last count.
All signs point to, at some stage, an acrimonious split, but that is easier said than done.
Which clubs could sign Kylian Mbappe?
Recent reports indicate Madrid have no intention of selling Mbappe but they would still struggle to offload him with most of, if not all, their rivals already well stocked.
Beyond the obvious dealbreakers of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, the evolution of PSG’s forward line since his departure has ended hopes of a potential homecoming.
Bayern Munich, similarly, have an embarrassment of attacking riches despite their recent Champions League semi-final exit, with Harry Kane flourishing at their fulcrum.
In the Premier League, Manchester City and Arsenal have no shortage of options while even Liverpool already have Alexander Isak and an injured Hugo Ekitike in their ranks.
Beyond those big hitters, Mbappe’s only viable outlets are a move to Serie A, which could be as retrograde as it is restorative, or a club outside of the Champions League.
Chelsea would be the closest suitor in terms of matching his valuation and salary demands but given their unending chaos, it would be a risky move for the No.9.
