Barcelona To Compete Against Real Madrid In Bid To Sign PSG's Kylian Mbappe

Barcelona is joining the sweepstakes to acquire Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Right on the heels of The Times report that bared the French superstar’s desire to leave the Ligue 1 giants next year, suitors have started to line up to try to lure the World Cup winner. And from what it seems, Barca and their Spanish rivals in Real Madrid are the strong frontrunners in the bid.

The Los Blancos were initially predicted to make an easy run for Mbappe, who is said to be the top priority of Florentino Perez for the next summer transfer window.

But Barcelona could be making a serious case for themselves as reports claim the club plans to make Mbappe the successor of Lionel Messi.

The uncertainty of whether Messi will stay at Camp Nou beyond 2021 continues to keep Barca fans up late at night. But if their worst fear turns into reality, the Catalans will be hoping to find solace on the acquisition of Mbappe, who is irrefutably poised to make eccentric football greatness as Messi did.

“If Messi leaves Barcelona, ​​there is little doubt that Mbappé would be a perfect replacement to rekindle the illusion,” an El Desmarque report stated.

Mbappe, whose deal with PSG ends in 2022, has allegedly informed the French side that he has no intention of signing an extension and that he wishes to explore new opportunities on a different team.

This prompted the rise of immediate interests, not just from Barca and Real Madrid, but likewise from Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City.

But despite the strong notice that Mbappe could be headed to the exits, PSG would not easily succumb to the demand as the club will do its best to make the France international stay, French football expert Jonathan Johnson claims.

"PSG are trying to convince the likes of Neymar and Mbappe that they are the club to stick with it. They just reached the Champions League final and have shown progress on the continental stage,” Johnson said, via Sky Sports.

"Mbappe is a key part of their strategy but the player wants to see the club pushing seriously for Champions League success.”

Analysts further believe that if there is one striking reason that could stall Mbappe’s departure from France, it’s the financial difficulties experienced by all clubs involved due to the pandemic.

Barcelona, in particular, might find it tough to make a bid for Mbappe, especially that Messi could leave the club for free when his contract ends next year.