Pep Linked with a Move for Mbappe

Manchester City had the most devastating attack in the Premier League last term and managed to put away a record-breaking 106 goals over the course of the campaign. Their closest rivals in the goalscoring ranks, Liverpool, only scored 84, highlighting just how supreme Pep Guardiola’s scoring sensations are. Even so, the elite manager has been linked with a move for Kylian Mbappe this summer. If this signing came to fruition, City could finally have the credentials to go all the way in the Champions League.

Mbappe has spent the last season plying his trade for Paris Saint-Germain, where he became an integral part of the side which stormed to yet another Ligue 1 title. The French giants signed the youngster from Monaco on loan for the 2017-18 season but want to make the transfer permanent after the tricky forward impressed at the Parc des Princes. However, the fee for the man who scored 13 goals and assisted eight in 24 appearances is reportedly around £167 million.

PSG are currently being investigated for potentially breaching financial fair play rules,with the £198 million signing of Brazilian ace Neymar and the loan acquisition of Mbappe last summer. According to The Week, the French champions may be forced to pay the full transfer fee for the Monaco man and then offload him to comply with the complex financial fair play rules. This is where City could see an opportunity to swoop in and add the burgeoning star to their ranks.

Mbappe will be seeking to impress potential suitors further on the world stage in this summer’s World Cup in Russia. After making his debut in Didier Deschamps' side in 2017, the player who has been compared to Thierry Henry has become a pivotal figure for Les Bleus. France’s hopes of going all the way in the tournament could hinge on Mbappe displaying his mesmeric skills against the top sides on the planet. As it stands, Deschamps’ side can be backed at 10/1 in the international football betting to lift the coveted trophy at the end of the four-week tournament.

If Guardiola was able to sign Mbappe for City, it would give the Catalan even more options in his talent-laden attack force. Although City took the English top flight by storm last term, they once again failed to progress to the latter stages of the Champions League. Additional attackers are undoubtedly required so that the manager can rotate and rest key figures in anticipation of crucial ties in the European tournament. The addition of Mbappe could also force Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling to raise their respective games, as the Frenchman would offer competition to their places in the starting line-up.

There is a lot riding on the outcome of PSG’s financial fair play investigation, but if Mbappe does become available, he would represent an incredible transfer swoop for City. If Pep is to make City the best in the world, he will need players like the glittering youngster in order to do so.