Pep Guardiola offers positive response to questions on Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City transfer links

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered a positive response to questions on Kylian Mbappe during a press conference this week.

Reports emerging from Spain over the weekend linked the Premier League champions with unofficial conversations with members of Kylian Mbappe’s entourage in Manchester, after it was announced last week that he would be leaving the French capital on a free transfer.

Mbappe is understood to have made Paris Saint-Germain aware of his intentions, sparking a media frenzy around his future and particularly transfer interest from Real Madrid. However, that has not stopped City from being tied to the player tenuously.

Unsurprisingly, the media have taken the first opportunity to quiz Manchester City’s manager on reports but instead asking for his verdict on Kylian Mbappe as a player, to which he has responded with high praise.

Addressing the media on Monday afternoon ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday night, Pep Guardiola was asked for his thoughts on Kylian Mbappe amid recent transfer rumours concerning the Frenchman.

“I think he is quite good,” Pep Guardiola joked in response. “He has a future,” he continued.

It will come as no surprise to many to see Pep Guardiola offering no attention to the subject of transfer rumours around the France international, given his approach to previous questions around potential Manchester City transfer targets.

The City boss remained tight-lipped throughout the duration of the Erling Haaland transfer saga back in 2021 and 2022, and only commented on the Norwegian in relation to the Etihad club when it was officially announced that an agreement had been reached.

For now, Real Madrid are likely to remain at the front of the race for Kylian Mbappe, and there is every chance Los Blancos become the only club to establish themselves as serious suitors for the 25-year-old given the finances and the player’s desires to operate in the Spanish capital.