Barcelona copy clever Chelsea transfer plan to sign Kylian Mbappe as PSG reveal major obstacle

Barcelona appear to have taken a leaf out of Chelsea's book as the two clubs battle to sign Kylian Mbappe. The 24-year-old forward has been heavily linked with an exit from Paris Saint-Germain this summer after deciding to not extend his future in the French capital beyond next year.

According to The Independent, Barcelona are – just like the Blues – attempting to negotiate a player-plus-cash deal to secure Mbappe's signature. The report states that the two sides are looking to structure an offer for the France international, who's expected to seek pastures new either this summer or next.

However, there's one issue – if Mbappe is to leave Les Parc des Princes before September then he could cost as much an eye-watering €250million (£214m). Although, with PSG desperate to recuperate a reasonable fee for the Frenchman, Chelsea and Barcelona could very well low-ball the Parisians.

At the start of the month, Nasser Al-Khelaifi revealed that Mbappe has two weeks to sign a new deal in the French capital otherwise he'll be sold. It's almost August and the striker still hasn't penned a new long-term deal – nor has he found a new club.

During Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States, Mauricio Pochettino was asked if he would like to reunite with Mbappe, and Neymar, at Stamford Bridge. He said: «I think in our past we were at Paris Saint Germain and with Kylian and think I need to be conscious that I cannot talk.

»Everything you talk is too much noise. It is a situation that is very delicate and one they need to fix in Paris with Kylian. For our side I have nothing to say.

«We are working on our reality, our reality is different. From my side, nothing to say, only to supporter them. I hope they find a solution for both sides.

C