Report: Manchester City prepared to match Real Madrid's offer for Mbappe
Manchester City is willing to match Real Madrid's gargantuan €180-million offer for Monaco stud Kylian Mbappe, sources told ESPN FC's Jonathan Smith.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported earlier Tuesday that Madrid had agreed in principle to a deal worth an initial €160 million, plus an additional €20 million in add-ons.
City is now "moving quickly" to see whether it can reach an 11th-hour deal for the 18-year-old, according to Smith.
Smith's sources added that City would guarantee regular playing time, despite a wealth of competition in Pep Guardiola's star-studded attack.
The Manchester Evening News' James Robson confirmed that City had formally opened negotiations for the teenage sensation with the belief that it could pay the fee quicker than Madrid. City's hierarchy apparently believes Los Blancos would first have to sell another player - namely Gareth Bale - to fund what would be a world-record move.
The Telegraph's James Ducker, however, cited club sources denying any bid had been made.
City has already done business with Monaco this summer, signing left-back Benjamin Mendy and winger Bernardo Silva for a reported £98-million sum.
The principality side warned FIFA last week that "important European football clubs" spoke to Mbappe without the club's permission. British media said the complaint involved City, Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe stormed onto the European scene in the second half of the 2016-17 campaign, scoring 26 goals in all competitions.