Why Modric's departure could be key to Mbappé's arrival at Real Madrid?

This week fans around the world were shocked by the news of Kylian Mbappé's departure from Paris Saint-Germain. Reports claim that the striker met with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, owner of the club, and told him of his decision to leave France after the end of this season. Thus, he will reject the four-year renewal offer and will not activate the automatic extension clause until 2025, becoming a free agent as of July 1 this year.

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With this scenario, a competition began among several clubs to try to persuade 'Kiki'. Premier League teams such as Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in him, but the top favorites are Real Madrid. They have been trying to get him for years and, in fact, they came very close in 2022. At that time negotiations unexpectedly failed, but now everything seems to be in place for it to happen.

However, the negotiations between Fayza Lamari, Kylian's mother and agent, and Real Madrid chiefs are far from over. While it is a fact that he will not earn as much money in Spain as he could earn in France, the parties will have to agree on the salary the player will receive, as well as bonuses and other benefits.

But Real Madrid have an ace up their sleeve to persuade Mbappé: his shirt number. At PSG he has the 7, but that number is occupied on the Spanish side by Vinicius Junior. Many speculated that he could then keep the 9 of Karim Benzema, but apparently the plan of the club's chiefs is another. According to Mundo Deportivo, Kylian could wear the number 10 jersey that other stars such as Ferenc Puskas and Luis Figo once wore, and which has belonged to Luka Modric for a decade.

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What will happen to him?

Luka Modric was for a long time a key player for Real Madrid, but this season his participation has diminished a lot. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has given priority to other players such as Toni Kroos, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham. That is why some speculate that the Croatian midfielder could leave the club at the end of this season, leaving the number 10 jersey vacant.