Real Madrid and Manchester City set for bidding war- Clubs will shatter transfer records

MONACO - MAY 03: Kylian Mbappe of AS Monaco speaks with his team mates as they inspect the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between AS Monaco v Juventus at Stade Louis II on May 3, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
MONACO - MAY 03: Kylian Mbappe of AS Monaco speaks with his team mates as they inspect the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between AS Monaco v Juventus at Stade Louis II on May 3, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Real Madrid and Manchester City both want Kylian Mbappe

Club officials at Monaco are set for a massive financial windfall. Real Madrid and Manchester City are both prepared to shatter transfer records to secure the services of Kylian Mbappe.

This will not be a transfer battle for the faint of heart. The 18-year-old striker will cost an astronomical sum. Reports from France claim that both interested clubs are willing to pay well over £100 million for the striker. With two such rich clubs competing against one another, there’s no telling where the final price may finish.

Ultimately, the player should have the final say about which club is able to win his services. His outlook for playing time is very different at both clubs. Given his success at Monaco this year, he certainly won’t be interested in moving to a club that will nail him to the bench.

At Real Madrid, he likely would have a real chance at securing a spot in Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI. Alvaro Morata is likely leaving the club this summer. That will only leave Karim Benzema to lead Real’s line. Mbappe is a very different player than the elder Frenchman, but his playing style could fit better with the constant movement of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

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At Manchester City, his path to regular playing time is a bit more complicated. Pep Guardiola currently has an embarrassment of riches at the forward position. While most believe Kelechi Iheanacho will be sold this summer, that still leaves Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in line for loads of playing time. In particular, Guardiola seems convinced that the young Brazilian is destined for greatness.

In fairness, if Mbappe is most concerned with playing time, the right choice would be staying at Monaco. He doesn’t want to be the last star left with the Ligue 1 giants though. Bernardo Silva has already left the club and numerous other teammates seem prepared to do the same.

Next: City targeting multiple Monaco players

In the end, expect Mbappe to secure a move to the highest bidder. He may just be 18 years of age, but he knows that riches are coming his way. Either Real Madrid or Manchester City are going to change his life forever.