Mbappe has been linked with a move to Real Madrid

However, while any move would be called a ‘free transfer’, it would be anything but with Real still having to dip deep into their pockets to prise Mbappe away from Paris.

Speaking on talkSPORT, European football expert Andy Brassell said: “Of course the fact is he will be leaving about €80million (£68.5m) on the table as well in terms of loyalty bonus.

“That is how he got himself back in the team at PSG in autumn by agreeing to that.

“A free transfer as a free transfer is not free. There’s always a huge signing-on fee.

“So he would be getting an estimated €150m (£128.5m) signing-on fee from Real Madrid.

“Very unusually for Real Madrid, they would be letting him keep the majority of his image rights.

“Which obviously could run into not even the 10s of millions but the hundreds of millions.”

The numbers mentioned are dizzying for a player that is entering the final months of his contract.

Mbappe looks increasingly set to leave PSG at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty

And Mbappe could join up with Bellingham at Real MadridCredit: Getty

But if Mbappe did make the switch to Real Madrid, he would actually be taking a pay cut to leave PSG.

“We have said all along that this move wasn’t about money.

“Now, bear in mind, that he’s been earning under his contract at PSG for the last coming up to two years €72m per year before tax.

“So that is about €56m net with the French tax laws as they are.

“It looks like he is going to earn €35m a year at Real Madrid. So we are talking about him taking a 50 per cent pay cut.

“Now he was always going to choose PSG if it was about the money but we always said it was not down to the money.”

A move to Real Madrid would make Los Blancos a really strong outfit, who already have top stars like Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga and Luke Modric.

But perhaps most exciting will be to see Mbappe partner Jude Bellingham, who has had a brilliant start to life at the Bernabeu since his mega-money move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

While naturally a midfielder, Bellingham has been deployed in a more attacking role by Carlo Ancelotti which has helped the 20-year-old score 18 goals this season already.

Add Mbappe to the mix and it could be a recipe for success in Spain and Europe for years to come.