Kylian Mbappe is expected to quit Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires - putting Real Madrid on red alert.
Mbappe, 24, signed a new three-year contract with PSG just a year ago, but the final season of that deal is optional. Therefore, the striker can leave the French capital on a free transfer next summer, with Real thought to be his preferred destination.
The Spanish giants tried to sign Mbappe in August 2021 - seeing a £154million bid rejected - and on a free transfer last summer. The World Cup winner was was persuaded to commit his short-term future to PSG, but it appears he is weighing up his options again.
As reported by L'Equipe, Mbappe has little interest in triggering that extension in his contract. That could force PSG to either negotiate another deal with the player or sell him this summer, although both of those options could prove to be difficult.
Most top European clubs would find it tough to stump up the cash to sign Mbappe this summer, including Real. It's also questionable whether Carlo Ancelotti's side actually need to land Mbappe immediately, with Karim Benzema still performing consistently.
Benzema, 35, has scored 30 goals for Real this season and is expected to sign a new one-year contract to keep him at the Bernabeu until June 2024, when Mbappe could become available. There is a chance Mbappe could be Benzema's long-term successor.
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If Real wait until next summer to sign Mbappe, that would free up their transfer budget to land Jude Bellingham. The England international, 19, is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in the world after impressing for Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham was denied a maiden league title on Saturday after Dortmund threw away a golden opportunity to win the Bundesliga. They needed to beat Mainz in the season finale, but a 2-2 draw allowed Bayern Munich to snatch an 11th consecutive title.
Bellingham would be a huge coup for Real, with Luke Modric coming towards the end of his glittering career. Real's ageing midfield was clear during their recent 4-0 defeat to Manchester City, with Modric, 37, and Toni Kroos, 33, struggling to keep the pace.
But Real will have arguably the most exciting young midfield in Europe if they can land Bellingham. They already have French duo Aurelien Tchouameni, 23, Eduardo Camavinga, 20, on their books. The latter can also play at left-back.
Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are still at the top of their games and could play alongside Mbappe in attack, if the Frenchman completes a move. Eder Militao and David Alaba, meanwhile, will continue their partnership at the heart of Real's defence.
The left-back area is a concern for Real, with Antonio Rudiger often filling in. Still only 31, Dani Carvajal will remain the club's first-choice right-back for some time to come, while the same can be said about world-class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
