KYLIAN MBAPPE knew Real Madrid would "wait" for him before he agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain in a £162million deal.

And the news has dealt a hammer blow to Manchester United chief Ed Woodward, who was hoping to sign the youngster.

Mbappe was just 18 when he signed from Monaco in 2017.

Former Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has told Spanish newspaper AS that Mbappe, a close friend of his since their time together in the principality, confided in him before his move to PSG that a switch to Real was his main goal.

However, he told him that he felt it was "too early" to go to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2017, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Benzema in their pomp.

Vasilyev said Mbappe told him: "Real Madrid will wait for me."

This year Mbappe has made it clear he wants out at PSG.

The French club's Champions League round of 16 exit to Madrid in 2018 made up his mind.

Madrid know they must bide their time to get the striker, whose contract ends in 2022.

United want Mbappe to join Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in a devastating young attack.

And United legends including Gary Neville have called on the club to make Mbappe their top priority.

Juventus are also after the Frenchman, and have £300m to spend after agreeing a lucrative deal with sponsors.

They want to offer him £35m-a-season in a five-year deal.

But PSG would want at least £200m for their star man.

Source: Read Full Article