Mbappe: Assessing next destination of football's greatest free transfer ever

The French star is one of the game's biggest stars and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport right now.

Currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe's current deal will expire in the summer of 2024, which means the French club are powerless to stop him discussing a move away from the club in the New Year.

Players can discuss terms directly with non-domestic club from January 1, meaning the 24-year-old and his representatives could be fielding a number of high-profile phone calls once 2024 begins.

So where could Mbappe end up next season? talkSPORT.com takes a look at his main options...

Real Madrid

The Spanish giants look to be one of the biggest contenders to secure Mbappe's signature.

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Real Madrid have been looking to seduce the Frenchman for several years after making a £171million offer to sign the forward in the summer of 2021.

Paris Saint-Germain rejected that on the basis that they would not sell their star, leading to widespread suggestions that he would join on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.

With a move looking probable, Mbappe then shocked the world by signing a new contract with PSG, only to then fall out with the club's hierarchy to plunge his future into fresh doubt.

Real Madrid's interest in Mbappe is clearly genuine and a free transfer could make sense for a club who may not be able to compete with others in world football when it comes to transfer fees.

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But given the respect Mbappe has for the Real Madrid badge, it could be a move that comes to fruition.

Liverpool

While Real Madrid have always been the frontrunners to sign Mbappe, Liverpool have never been too far behind.

The Reds are facing the long-term prospect of replacing Mohamed Salah in the coming year or two and that means signing a wide forward who can be their main man is a top priority.

There are few players who fit that billing as well as Mbappe. "Liverpool wanted him when he was playing for Monaco," L'Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi told talkSPORT.

"[Liverpool manager Jurgen] Klopp went to see him and they were negotiating while they were on the plane.

"The relationship between him, Liverpool, and Klopp is there. I think they have a chance."

Liverpool are reluctant to spend over the odds on any player, however a free transfer means that they'd only need to negotiate wages, bonuses and agents fees to get a deal over the line.

Playing in the Premier League could be hugely appealing for the forward and few teams are better set up to accommodate a player like Mbappe than Liverpool.

If it's not Real then it's surely Anfield for Mbappe.

Stay at PSG

While a move away from Paris seems probable, history would suggest that we'd be foolish to assume that an exit is a done deal.

PSG boast incredible wealth and Mbappe settled in his homeland and the French capital, it would take the right opportunity to tempt him away.

Mbappe is the main man at the Parc des Princes and holds incredible influence both on and off the pitch, so why would he go somewhere where the same might not prove to be true?

PSG are capable of offering the star what he wants financially while also ensuring that he continues to be a central figure at the club.

But whether he opts for the comfort of staying put over the excitement of a new challenge with one of the world's biggest clubs remains to be seen.

Saudi Arabia

When Mbappe's future in Paris looked uncertain in 2023, it was a lucrative offer from the Middle-East that got fans talking.

Al Hilal tabled an eye-water £257million offer for the French star - a deal that would have made him the most expensive player in football history by some distance.

However the 24-year-old refused to enter talks over a move despite a Saudi delegation heading to Paris for talks.

Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have showed that they clearly mean business by signing stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane over the last year and so there's every chance that they'll be adding more big-name stars to their roster in the months and years to come.

Whether Mbappe will be added to that list in 2024? Time will tell.

Chelsea

A club who you can't discount in any transfer battle is Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Chelsea are no strangers to spending big sums of money and while Mbappe is available on a free transfer, there's no doubting that wages and agents fees will make it an expensive deal to do.

But as well have having deep pockets, the Blues also have some key figures at the club who could convince Mbappe that Stamford Bridge is the place for him.

Pochettino managed him during his time in Paris, while Thiago Silva was captain of PSG during Mbappe's early years in the French capital.

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There's also a number of his French international teammates such as Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Malang Sarr, Axel Disasi and Christopher Nkunku who, I'm sure, will be having a word in his ear to convince him that west London is the place for him.

However, you'd imagine that Chelsea will no doubt need to improve performances and be challenging for the Champions League if they're to convince Mbappe that they're the club for him.