Barcelona president Joan Laporta unfazed by Real Madrid’s push to sign Kylian Mbappe
Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes his team has the edge over Real Madrid even if they signed Kylian Mbappé.
The 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward, who has one more year left in his present deal, continues to be linked with Los Blancos despite links with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
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PSG reportedly gave Al-Hilal permission to speak with the Frenchman over personal terms after receiving a £259m bid in writing but Mbappé refused a meeting. Having dropped Mbappé from their pre-season Japan tour, PSG is understood to be convinced that he’s agreed to join Real next summer on a free transfer.
Heading into the new season head coach Carlo Ancelotti has Joselu as Real’s sole recognised centre-forward with Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Reinier, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz as other attacking options. Mbappé, who has bagged 212 goals across 260 appearances for the Parisians, would undoubtedly be a marquee signing but Barça chief Laporta feels the defending Spanish champions will still be the better team.
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“He is an extraordinary player, someone who makes a difference. Playing against him is difficult, but I trust my team. The players that Barcelona have are the best,” he told reporters.
“A team consists of 11 players and the priority should always be the team over the individuals. We have a better team than last year and we’re going to have it even better (than then).”