Luftstalag14
Culé de Celestial Empire
Mbappe has effectively taken leverage from QSG and himself. It also avoids humiliating Qatar by signing Mbappe for "free", which is crucial given interests of both RM and Perez. Secondly, financial package will likely be smaller than in case of free agent Mbappe which would be pain the ass. Thirdly, Benzema leaving and New Bernabeu waiting for new generational talent to complete new sporting and financial era.
It makes all the sense of the world of doing it now.
No, I am not disputing that it makes sense for Madrid to get Mbappe, I am saying it makes no sense for Madrid to pay upward 200m to get him NOW when they can get him for free next summer. Smaller financial package? Sure Madrid will avoid a hefty signing bonus, but I'd imagine it will be a lot less than 200m. Getting on good terms with PSG and Qatar might be important (I don't know, the two are already having a chilled relationship due to ESL), but it certainly is not worth 200m plus.