Barcelona reportedly have no interest in pursuing a deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
Despite his status at Parc des Princes, the club's all-time leading goalscorer has just been banished from the first-team squad courtesy of refusing to pen a new contract.
Earlier this summer, Mbappe indicated that he wanted to leave PSG on a free transfer in 2024, a stance that was quickly condemned by club officials who naturally do not want to lose their most prized asset for nothing.
As it stands, both parties appear no nearer to finding a resolution that will suit everyone, subsequently leading to growing interest in the 24-year-old's signature.
On Monday, it was revealed that Al-Hilal were willing to pay an extraordinary £259m fee to win the race, as well as handing Mbappe extremely attractive financial terms and over a short period should he so wish.
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However, while PSG would accept that offer, a wide array of European teams are being credited with an interest, and Barcelona were surprisingly included in that.
That is despite the financial issues at the Catalan giants being well documented, as well as the La Liga champions not able to afford to sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer last month.
According to Marca, sources have confirmed that Barcelona will not be making any kind of bid for Mbappe, even on loan.
While Barcelona have been able to sign three players in Inigo Martinez, Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan this summer, they have cost a combined total of €3.4m (£2.9m).
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Barcelona may remain in the market for competition for Robert Lewandowski, although much will depend on whether they can continue to reduce their outgoings in due course.
Martinez, Romeu and Gundogan are still to be officially registered for the upcoming La Liga campaign and that will remain the case until further cutbacks are made.
From Mbappe's perspective, the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea have each been credited as admirers, but that was before Al-Hilal firmed up their own interest with a world-record bid.
Behind the scenes at PSG, they believe that Mbappe is ready to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in less than 12 months time, leading to their aggressive approach with regards to a sale as soon as possible.
Darren Plant
