Kylian Mbappe transfer update as Real Madrid sent firm warning but Barcelona forced to accept defeat

PSG captain Marquinhos hasn't given up hope of keeping Kylian Mbappe beyond the summer.

But reports suggest Barcelona are resigned to him joining Real Madrid next season.

Mbappe was close to joining Real in the summer of 2021 but deadline day talks dramatically collapsed at the final hour.

A £150m deal was all-but agreed but the French champions pulled out, electing to keep hold of him for a tilt at the Champions League.

However he's out of contract at the end of the season and with no signs of him signing an extended deal, he seems increasingly likely to walk away on a free.

Real are in pole position but recent reports have suggested he's having cold feet and considering his options.

He's scored 24 goals in 34 games this season and captain Marquinhos reckons he's the best in the world at the moment.

And the Brazil defender insists he feels at "home" in Paris.

He said: “I think Mbappe is the best player in the world at the moment. We see what he does on the field. We know he is important to us. We want players like him with us.

“I think everyone has already talked about it. It's up to him to decide. We have done everything to make him feel comfortable with us. He feels comfortable and knows that Paris is his home."

Reports in Spain however say that Barcelona, who had harboured hopes of snatching him from under Real's nose, are resigned to him joining their rivals.

Barca are 15 points behind Los Blancos as Carlo Ancelotti's team remain firm favourites to win the title ahead of the likes of Sevilla and Atletico.