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03rd Aug 2017

Kylian Mbappé development pushes Gareth Bale towards Real Madrid exit, report claims

Two English clubs are keen to bring Bale back to the Premier League

Simon Lloyd

Surprise, surprise: Kylian Mbappé has a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid.

Or at least, that’s what Marca are reporting on Thursday…

The development comes less than 24 hours after reports in France claimed the 18-year-old had informed Monaco that he wished to leave the club before the end of the summer window.

The European champions have been linked with a big money move for Mbappé all summer and are now almost certain to step up their pursuit for the French international in the coming days.

Interestingly, the Marca report also suggests that Mbappé’s arrival will also see Zinedine Zidane offload one of his forwards – with Gareth Bale seen as the most likely to depart the Bernabeu.

Despite playing a major part in Real Madrid’s three Champions League successes in the last four seasons, the Welshman has repeatedly been linked with a return to the Premier League this summer after enduring an injury-hit campaign last season.

Predictably, Manchester United are said to be interested in a move for Bale, who they attempted to sign before his move to Spain from Tottenham in 2013.

Jose Mourinho is keen to recruit a winger before the close of the summer window and with negotiations for Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic seemingly stalling, a move for Bale might now be a possibility.

If United decide to move for the player, they’re unlikely to have a clean run at him. Chelsea, who signed Alvaro Morata from Real only weeks ago, are also said to be interested.