Kylian Mbappe could still change his mind and stay at Paris Saint-Germain, says boss Mauricio Pochettino
It was hoped the signing of Lionel Messi on a free transfer from Barcelona, completing a front three with Neymar, would help convince Mbappe to recommit to the club, but a new deal is not currently close to being agreed.
Real were prepared to spend £197m to sign the France World Cup winner in the summer but PSG refused to agree a sale, despite the forward's contract running out at the end of the season.
Yet the 22-year-old, who joined PSG in 2017 in a transfer worth £165m, is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with them in January, in order to join them for free next summer.
The front three of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe have yet to fire on all cylinders - Pochettino also admitted in the interview with the Spanish TV channel that he thought being offered Messi on a free was initially a "joke".
Pochettino is sweating over the availability of his South American players for Friday night's Ligue 1 clash with Angers due to their involvement in late international matches this week. His side are top of the table after nine games.