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Real Madrid chief refuses to discount possible €80M Mbappe snag

Reuters / Gonzalo Fuentes

Florentino Perez may further strengthen the Gallic influence at Real Madrid after the club president admitted there was a possibility in signing Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe.

The 18-year-old has tallied an astonishing 11 goals in his last seven competitive starts to become one of the most sought-after forwards on the planet, and if he was to shift to the Spanish capital, would link up with fellow Frenchmen in manager Zinedine Zidane, frontman Karim Benzema, and defender Raphael Varane.

It's understood it will take an €80-million fee to pinch Mbappe from the principality.

"A duo of Benzema and Mbappe? Everything is possible," Perez told RMC, with translation from ESPN FC. "But at this time of the season, I don't want to talk about that. We don't talk about players of other teams.

"Right now, all we are thinking about is how to win La Liga and the Champions League."

Mbappe's potency in Ligue 1 and the Champions League saw him earn his first call-up to France's senior squad this month, with a World Cup qualifier at minnow Luxembourg on Saturday and a home friendly against Spain three days later providing an ideal introduction for the teenage talent.

Perez was keen to turn conversation away from the Mbappe links, instead choosing to hone in on the attributes of Benzema. The 29-year-old has been rumoured with moves to other outfits in the past himself, including a touted transfer to Arsenal.

"Karim is a mix of Zidane and Ronaldo," Perez gushed. "He is the best number nine in the world and the best French player.

"I am convinced that he will stay and, while now we do not talk about (contract) renewals, if it was up to me, I would keep him here during his whole sporting life.

"I am very happy with Benzema and he has exemplary behaviour."

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