MADRID, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The uncertainty over the future of French international striker Kylian Mbappe is coming to an end after the Spanish sports paper 'Marca' reported on Monday that he has already signed a contract with Real Madrid.
Mbappe's future was already headline news long before last week's announcement that he would be leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, and although Real Madrid always seemed the most likely destination for the 25-year-old, Monday's news appears to be the confirmation.
The newspaper, which is close to Real Madrid, assures that Mbappe signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid in February, which means he will earn a basic salary of between 15-20 million euros (16-21.5 million U.S. dollars) after tax every year, with bonuses in relation to his individual performances and titles.
The player will also receive a 50 million euros bonus for joining the Spanish giants, without the club having to pay a transfer fee.
Although the contract won't be confirmed by the club until the end of the current season, Marca reports that Mbappe will officially be presented to the fans and the press early in July.
The news appears to end Real Madrid's efforts to sign a player they have been attempting to tempt to Spain since 2017. It looked in 2022 as if Mbappe was en route to play in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but the forward opted to sign a new deal to stay in Paris.
Premier League clubs, such as Liverpool and Arsenal, are also interested in signing Mbappe, but it now looks as if their efforts are in vain.
The Frenchman will not be the only new arrival at Real Madrid this summer, with 17-year-old Brazilian international Endrick also set to join after the club confirmed his signing just over a year ago.
With every other club in Spain limited by financial fair play restrictions, it already looks as if Real Madrid's squad will be stronger than ever next season. ■
