Manchester City prepare world-record bid for World Cup winner

Manchester City have gotten off to a blistering start in the Premier League, notching 6 wins out of a possible 7, but Pep Guardiola does not seem content with the players at his disposal and is reportedly lining up a world-record bid for World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.

According to reports in the Sun, City are willing to cough up a mammoth £200m to secure the 19-year-old striker’s services. Mbappe starred for France at the World Cup, netting four times in seven appearances. He has carried that form into the domestic season with Paris Saint-Germain as well, having registered four goals and three assists already this campaign.

Mbappe was widely linked with a move to Real Madrid this past summer as Los Blancos looked to fill the Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped void in their side, however, a move never materialised and Mbappe remained in Paris.

With the French club now under investigation for a breach of FFP rules, they might have to part with their prized asset as soon as the 2019 summer window. While Barcelona also expressed an interest in the French striker, it appears City have now stepped up their pursuit of Mbappe and are looking to get a deal over the line.

City were relatively quiet this summer in terms of transfer activity with Riyad Mahrez the only notable arrival. That has not hampered them one bit though and they still look the runaway favourites for the title come May.

If the reports are to be believed, the move would eclipse the £198m PSG shelled out to sign Neymar, making Mbappe the most expensive player in the world. City would, however, need to offload a few of their own in order to stay on the right side of FFP themselves. The most likely candidate to receive the boot would be Raheem Sterling who has flattered to deceive thus far after an impressive 2017/18 season.