Over the years, Real Madrid and Barcelona have grown an obsession for always wanting the best players in their ranks, regardless of whatever it takes. Barcelona currently have their own obsession in former player and PSG winger Neymar, who was reportedly the “focus” the whole of their summer. Los Blancos did get one of their long-term targets in Eden Hazard but it would appear another obsession seems to have been growing rapidly – Kylian Mbappe.

Just days ago, reports suggested Real Madrid were reportedly considering a world-record move to bring superstar Kylian Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Le Parisien, as reported by CalcioMercato, reveal that the Spanish giants are weighing up a staggering €400million (£343m) offer to snare the 20-year-old out of Paris Saint-Germain.

Any move would dramatically surpass the current world record transfer fee which was paid by PSG to sign Neymar from Barcelona for £198m back in 2017.

Mbappe is no doubt one of the best attackers in world football right now and despite his age, he seems to play like he’s been at the top level for years. However, his reputation and financial implications just make him an unrealistic option (at the moment) and there is perhaps one player Real Madrid can turn to if they desperately need some buzz on the flanks.

Serge Gnabry is one player that has continued to do his job quietly in the Bundesliga. Since Bayern Munich signed the German international from Werder Bremen in 2017, the 24-year-old has racked up an impressive 21 goals and 14 assists in 58 appearances as per Transfermarkt. Known for his speed and dribbling prowess, the winger would equally provide Real Madrid with much width on the flank should they consider a move for him.

His exploits with Bayern Munich last season saw him win their player of the year award and no doubt Gnabry is one-man high on confidence right now. Just like Mbappe, Gnabry’s influence spread to his national side as well. Since being a regular for the Die Nationalmannschaft outfit, the Bayern winger has taken no time in making a name for himself.

After just 11 games for the senior side, the 24-year-old became the fastest to score 10 goals, overtaking German legend Miroslav Klose in the process. As a result, leading online German bookmaker Eaglebet are tipping Gnabry to be a good bet on finishing top scorer at next summer’s Euro 2020 tournament.

Mbappe has 67 goals and has 31 assists in just 104 league games (Transfermarkt) is no doubt simply astonishing but Serge Gnabry is a guaranteed double-figure player as well. In 14 appearances this season, Gnabry already has seven goals and four assists (Transfermarkt), which is decent considering Bayern have a certain Lewandowski who seems to just want all kinds of goals for himself lately.

Spurs fans would particularly hate the sight of this man after his four Champions League goals against the North London outfit – in only 15 second-half minutes eventually led to a 7-2 trashing on that occasion.

It’s understandable that Real Madrid want Kylian Mbappe more than anything. At 20, he is no doubt the most talented player for his age and with all that talent, he looks the perfect long-term investment for any side. But what is a player that comes with much baggage?

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, whose side has also been linked with Mbappe recently, simply said there is no club with a chance of buying the 20-year-old superstar. Klopp can be known to exaggerate statements a lot but there is simply much truth to his statements on this occasion. Recently asked about Liverpool’s chances of signing Mbappe a few days ago, Klopp said:

“Ok, from a sporting point of view, there are not a lot of reasons to not sign Mbappe, what a player he is,” Klopp said via Goal.

“But it is about the money of course. No chance. Absolutely no chance, sorry for killing that story. I don’t think there is a club in the world that can buy Kylian Mbappe from PSG. And we are involved in that too. We cannot do it, it is as easy as that.

“We have nothing [more] to say about it to be honest, but [buying] this calibre of player is difficult.”

As per Transfermarkt, Mbappe is valued at €200m but the numbers flying around him seem to be double that amount at least. Which is not surprising considering the volatile nature of the transfer market currently and more importantly the player’s reputation itself.

Gnabry would be a more economical decision. Valued at €60m by Transfermarkt, Bayern Munich would likely be unable to reject a €100m bid for instance, should one come in from Los Blancos.

Also, Bayern are still plotting a move to sign Manchester City’s Leroy Sane and should Gnabry leave, It would be ideal as the position becomes vacant to occupy and the cash from his sale could easily see them get their long term target.

Real Madrid are not the side to be afraid of splashing the cash but on this occasion, the chase of Mbappe might simply be a dream that might not materialize.

Gnabry might not boast the “star” status Mbappe has to his name but would easily fit in well at Madrid and has all the potentials to be a proper Galactico.