Real Madrid reserve number 9 shirt for Mbappe

Real Madrid are keeping Karim Benzema's No. 9 shirt for Kylian Mbappe in the hope that the PSG superstar will join them this summer.

In the updated squad list on Real's homepage, the number 9 shirt is still unclaimed. New signing Joselu wears the number 14 shirt. According to Goal , this is a sign that Mbappe will move to the Bernabeu this summer and inherit the number 9 shirt that his compatriot Benzema used to wear.

Mbappe could leave PSG for Real this summer. Photo: AFP — Mbappe could leave PSG for Real this summer. Photo: *AFP*

Benzema has moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad after 14 years of dedication to Real. Last summer, the 35-year-old striker tried to lure Mbappe to Real but failed. That was one of two times Mbappe publicly expressed his intention to join the "White Vultures", but then stayed because of promises from PSG.

PSG are under pressure to sell Mbappe this summer as he has just one year left on his contract. Otherwise, they risk losing the world's most expensive star for free. For his part, Mbappe has said he is willing to stay for another year. But PSG do not like this scenario. They demand that the 25-year-old striker either leave immediately or extend his contract.

On June 22, French media reported that PSG had agreed to sell Mbappe to Real for $271 million. If that comes true, Mbappe will become the most expensive player in the world, breaking the record for the amount of money PSG spent to recruit Neymar in 2017 - $263 million.

Last year, Mbappe "turned around" after verbally agreeing with Real to stay at PSG. Therefore, the Spanish club was somewhat secretive in this negotiation. Real still considers Mbappe the most suitable factor to replace Benzema, combining with two young stars Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo to build a foundation for the attack. Previously, the Royal team spent 110 million USD to buy midfielder Jude Bellingham from Dortmund.

Duy Doan (according to Goal )

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