Chelsea, according to reports, could have saved millions if they had not allegedly turned down an opportunity to sign Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe as a 14-year old for just £17,000
The 18-year old is one of the hottest transfer target at the moment after having an outstanding season at Monaco.
The reports further stated that the teenager visited Stamford Bridge four years back but the club turned him down and instead focused their attention on local academy prospects Dominic Solanke and Tammy Abraham.
Mbappe was playing for French Side Bondy at the time, with Real Madrid was keeping close watch of the youngster’s progress.
As per reports by Daily Mirror, the Striker’s agent had tried to convince the Blues to make a deal with him by telling the club that Real were ready to take him off the market but this proved unsuccessful.
Mbappe got past the disappointment and went ahead to improve his play at France’s illustrious Clairefontaine academy before securing a deal with Monaco in 2013.
Four-years later, the 18–year old has made a name for himself in the game and has become a highly-sought player in Europe, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Real, among others, all competing for his signature.
Chelsea now are leading the race to sign the France international in a mega-money deal this summer, when they could have had him for peanuts years back.
Mbappe’s season in Ligue 1 has been nothing short of astounding. He has found the net 22 times in 35 appearances this campaign.
Despite all the transfer speculations, he will be totally dedicated to getting Monaco into the Champions League final.
As he prepares for the Champions League semi-final, when they clash with Juventus, Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon heaped praises on Mbappe and suggested he is on his way to bat all records laid down by Thierry Henry.
“Mbappe is an incredible talent and I think he seems like a good boy,” Buffon said.
“Of course the characteristics are similar [between him and Thierry Henry]. He plays for Monaco early in his career, the very slender and elegant running style.
“Probably, at his age, he is even better in front of goal than Henry was.”