Madrid board member convinced Mbappe will join in 2024, talks about Bellingham

A member of the board of Real Madrid Jose Manuel Otero, recently went public to admit that Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe had the opportunity to sign for the Los Blancos this summer, but there were many hindrances that did not make it possible.

As such, Otero mentioned that in order to come to Madrid, he would have to give up a large chunk of the bonus that he had already agreed with PSG.

“Mbappe had the opportunity to sign for Real Madrid this summer. To come he would have had to give up some very high bonuses that he had already agreed with Paris Saint-Germain. Furthermore, he would have transferred,” Otero said during an interview with Blanca Remontada.

“The amount that would be paid to have Mbappé a year earlier was crazy. It didn’t make sense to sign Mbappé a year earlier even though he was broken in Benzema’s position,” he added.

Otero also shed light on Real Madrid’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham, adding that while they were in touch with the midfielder in the summer, Manchester City also approached the player and the midfielder’s father had given them a little hope that the move could materialize.

“They told us the other day at lunch with Girona. People from Manchester City came to eat and told us they had been talking to Bellingham.

“They said that their father had entertained them a little by giving them hope, but Jude said no, that he wanted to play for Real Madrid.

“That is happening with many players. When the prospect of signing for Real Madrid opens up to them, they forget everything else. Madrid is the best way to achieve glory,” he explained,

Real Madrid paid Borussia Dortmund a whopping €103 million for the midfielder and the amount could go up to €133.9 million if certain clauses are met. But the club sees it as a bargain.

While talking about it, Otero compared the England midfielder with Rolls Royce, saying that although the transfer involved a lot of money, he wasn’t expensive.

“Bellingham cost a lot of money, but is it expensive? I don’t think so. It’s the same as a Rolls Royce. It costs a lot of money, but it is not expensive. What you get for what you pay is very important,” he said.

After explaining how Bellingham decided to choose Madrid over Manchester City, those sitting in the Madrid offices believed that Mbappe would do the same. Nevertheless, he confirmed that Real Madrid would again approach the player.

“We hope Mbappe thought the same as Bellingham and I trust that he will come. Mbappe will achieve glory when he comes to Real Madrid. Meanwhile, he will be wandering around. He will win a Champions League someday.

“Now it seems that PSG is less powerful than before because they no longer have such good players. Madrid guarantees security, a seriousness that gives results. I trust he will say yes when he is a free agent. Mbappe was born to play for Real Madrid, of course,” he added,

Mbappe was extremely close to moving to Real Madrid in 2022, but PSG’s tempting financial offer eventually proved too hard to refuse. While talking about it. The board member said that at this young age, PSG ruined Mbappe.

“Mbappe was such a young kid and they flooded him with money and he decided. If we ask him today and he is sincere and speaks, Mbappe will say that he regrets that decision. He could have already won a European Cup and been happy in Madrid.”

Furthermore, when asked about

the relationship between Florentino Perez and Mbappe, he explained: “The relations between Mbappe and Florentino were never bad. Florentino did not take it the wrong way. He understood the player’s reaction.

“If you look closely, there was not a single intemperate reaction from Madrid against the player. He always protected him. There were more fans who felt disappointed.

“Madrid always left its doors open. Zidane was 29 years old [when he joined]. Mbappe is going to come for about 25,” he explained.

Otero added that if Madrid had rushed for the transfer this past summer, PSG would have acted against them.

“If we had taken a wrong step with Mbappé, PSG would have tried to react against Real Madrid. Madrid knows perfectly well what it can and should do.”