Karim Benzema has suggested that Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe will play for Real Madrid at some point in his career.
Los Blancos were willing to pay a staggering £197m on deadline day for the 22-year-old, but the La Liga giants eventually walked away after PSG failed to respond to their offer.
Mbappe, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract, still wants to move to the Real Madrid and will look to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Carlo Ancelotti's side in January.
Benzema, who started alongside Mbappe for France in their 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Wednesday night, believes it is only a matter of time before his compatriot joins him in the Spanish capital.
"He is a player who one day or another will play for Real Madrid. We get on very well and I would like him to already be with me in Madrid," Benzema told RTL.
"I don't know what will happen [with his future], but Mbappe would be welcome at Real Madrid. He is a player who has all the qualities to be a Real Madrid player in the future."
Mbappe has made a bright start to the new campaign with PSG, scoring three goals in his opening four Ligue 1 matches, including a brace against Reims last weekend.
Oliver Thomas
