Top 5 Prolonged Transfers After Kylian Mbappe Finally Joins Real Madrid

• Real Madrid have officially announced the signing of Kylian Mbappe after years of speculations and negotiation
• The Spanish giants added the France international to their team days after winning their 15th Champions League
• Mbappe joins an already star-studded team which includes top stars Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid have officially announced the signing of Kylian Mbappe on a six-year contract, ending years of speculation about the French winger's future.

Mbappe will join an already star-studded team that just won the club's 15th UEFA Champions League title days ago after beating Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

While the transfer came a bit later than expected, they've ultimately secured their desired player.

Sports Brief looks at five protracted transfers involving top players.

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Prolonged transfers after Mbappe joins Madrid

1. Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid

Los Blancos first showed interest in the 25-year-old in 2017 before he moved to Paris Saint-Germain. He rejected the move, claiming it was too early. Per Marca, the Spanish giants sent their first bid of €160 million to PSG on the 2021 summer deadline. In subsequent windows, the player was in between staying in France or moving to Spain, which eventually happened on a free transfer this summer.

2. Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona

Fabregas left La Masia to join Arsenal in 2003, and like many other youngsters in Barcelona, the urge to return home remains throughout their careers. According to the Independent, the rumours of a return began when Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique robed him in a Barcelona jersey after Spain won the 2010 World Cup. The deal finally happened in the summer of 2011 after lengthy negotiations.

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3. Jadon Sancho to Manchester United

The deal that took Sancho from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United took about 12 months. The Red Devils first showed interest in the summer of 2020 but were waded off with an asking price of £108mil. The deal was completed for £73mil a year later but looked like one that shouldn't have had that much significance.

4. Eden Hazard to Real Madrid

From his first game at Chelsea, the Belgian looked destined for Real Madrid but stayed for seven years. After a bright performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Spanish club came calling, but he gave the Blues one more season and bowed out, winning the Europa League. He cost Florentino Perez £130mil but failed massively at the Spanish capital due to ongoing injury problems.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid

After winning the Premier League and UCL, culminating in a Ballon d'Or win in 2008, Madrid attempted to sign Ronaldo from Manchester United, but Sir Alex Ferguson blocked it. Fast forward to the summer of 2009, he left for a world record fee of £80mil. He scored over 400 goals and won every trophy, adding four more Ballon d'Or.

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Madrid decide Mbappe's number

Sports Brief previously reported that Madrid have already decided Mbappe's shirt number, as the 25-year-old will wear the European giants' white colours next season.

The number decided is an iconic shirt at the club, and it gives a big hint about the future of the current occupant, who, in recent days, is likely to remain in Madrid.