Real Madrid have reserved the number five shirt for Kylian Mbappe if he joins the club, according to reports in Spain.
News outlet SPORT have reported that Real president Florentino Perez wants Mbappe to wear the number – the same one worn by Zinedine Zidane during his time at the club as a player.
Alternatively, Mbappe could take numbers 19 or 23 – the numbers that Real currently have available in their squad.
The number 23 was worn by David Beckham between 2003 and 2006.
Real chiefs are reportedly increasingly confident that a move for the Paris Saint-Germain forward can be completed, with a presentation slated for September 10.
What is the latest on Mbappe’s future?
PSG rejected a bid of £137 million for the 22-year-old earlier this week.
The club’s sporting director, Leonardo, said the bid was “very far” from Mbappe’s valuation.
Real have now reportedly sent a second bid in the region of £145.5m.
Speaking to RMC (quotes via Get French Football News) about PSG’s stance, he explained: “We have not had much public communication on all that, but our position has always been to keep Kylian, to extend his contract, that has always been our aim and that is still the case.
“We said no verbally [to Real’s first offer]. But we will not hold anyone back. If someone wants to leave and our conditions are met, we will see.
“But we have created a dream with our players this summer and we will not let anyone destroy it.
“We consider the offer to be very far from what Kylian represents today. We also owe part of this money to Monaco and we consider that the offer is not enough.
“Kylian Mbappe wants to leave, that seems clear. If Real Madrid are making an offer, that seems clear… Me, I am giving a position that, I think, is clear for everyone.
“We cannot, the week before the end of the window, change our plans.
“If he wants to leave, we will not hold him back, but on our terms.”
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