Real Madrid view Luis Campos as ‘key in bid to sign priority target Kylian Mbappe’ after pair struck up strong relationship at Monaco… as Spaniards look to beat PSG in bringing back Lille’s ex-sporting director to Bernabeu
- Kylian Mbappe very much remains Real Madrid’s top transfer target this summer
- The Spanish giants have been long-term admirers of the French international
- Mbappe is continuing to stall over signing a new Paris Saint-Germain contract
- Madrid hopeful of bringing back Luis Campos to the club after stint in 2012-13
Real Madrid believe rehiring Lille’s former sporting director Luis Campos could be key in their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe this summer, according to reports.
The Spanish giants have been long-term admirers of Mbappe and with the Frenchman continuing to stall over a new PSG contract, Madrid are desperate to seal a deal this summer.
And according to Spanish publication Marca, it is understood that Campos could play a vital role in Madrid’s bid to sign the 22-year-old – who is tipped to dominate world football alongside Erling Haaland.
Kylian Mbappe’s PSG future is far from certain as he continues to stall over a new contract
Campos has long-standing links to Madrid president Florentino Perez and general director Jose Angel Sanchez, having worked as a scout and tactical analyst at the Bernabeu under Jose Mourinho between 2012-13.
But Campos then left for Monaco, which is where he struck up a close relationship with Mbappe following his incredible emergence at the club.
After establishing his reputation as Monaco’s sporting director, Campos moved on to become Lille’s football director and his work there culminated in them winning the Ligue 1 title – though he left his post in December of last year following a change of ownership.
But for a few months now, Campos has been linked with a return to the Spanish capital as part of a behind-the-scenes reshuffle.
Madrid view sporting director Luis Campos as key to bringing Mbappe to the club
‘I had a very good relationship with the president [Perez] and the directors,’ Campos recently revealed in an interview with L’Equipe.
‘But, for now, I can assure you that there is nothing [agreed] with anyone.’
Then when quizzed specifically on his relationship with Mbappe, Campos said: ‘It’s true that I know the family well, since Kylian was 14 years old. We have a great friendship, but that’s all.’
But any hopes Madrid have of bringing Campos back to the club could come under threat from PSG themselves.
Campos brought Mbappe to Monaco, where he enjoyed an incredible emergence
Leonardo has recently come under pressure as PSG’s sporting director, and Campos has been linked with a move to Paris too. But again, the 56-year-old was quick to shut that talk down.
Campos added: ‘But why? Is Leonardo going to leave? I may be tough in negotiations, but I’m not a liar. I assure you that I have not spoken to anyone at PSG.’
Meanwhile after years of interest, Madrid will be hoping that now is the time to bring Mbappe to the Bernabeu.
The 22-year-old has just one more year left on his current deal at the Parc des Princes, and it was recently reported by L’Equipe that he has told members at the club that he will not sign a contract extension as it stands.
