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Kylian Mbappé’s future to dominate European transfer window, as Phillips looks to end miserable time at Manchester City

  • Real Madrid are again the main suitor for the 25-year-old whose contract at PSG expires in June
  • Arsenal need to add to their threat upfront, while Kalvin Phillips is likely to leave champions with Newcastle a possible destination

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The future of Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe is likely to dominate the January transfer window. Photo: TNS

Kylian Mbappé’s future and his protracted courtship by Real Madrid is expected to be the key theme of the transfer window that opened in Europe on Monday.

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Arsenal’s search for a proven goalscorer to spearhead their challenge for a first Premier League title since 2004 could also loom large.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are widely expected to let Kalvin Phillips leave the club, ending a disappointing stay for the former Leeds United midfielder who has failed to make his mark at the world champions.

Much attention though will again focus on Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain’s lethal finisher and the man who a year ago scored a hat-trick for France in the World Cup final only to finish on the losing side.

Real Madrid are again the main suitor for the 25-year-old whose contract at PSG expires in June; will the 14-time European champions finally get a commitment from the player they have been pursuing for years?

Brentford’s Ivan Toney finishes his ban for gambling in January, making him a potential transfer target. Photo: AP
Brentford’s Ivan Toney finishes his ban for gambling in January, making him a potential transfer target. Photo: AP

It is far from certain though as Mbappe triggers an extraordinary reaction in France, illustrated when President Emmanuel Macron intervened to persuade him to stay at PSG in June 2022 when a move to Real seemed almost cut and dried.

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