Kylian Mbappé ‘in talks’ on equity-backed boot deal after Nike contract expiry | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé is positioned to land one of sport’s biggest boot deals after his Nike contract expired on 31 July, L’Équipe reports. Image rights have become central at the elite end and his near-total control of them proved decisive in his Real Madrid move.

Nike has backed him since he was eight and supplies France, while Adidas are Real Madrid’s technical partner. The forward joins pre-season this week, coinciding with the launch of gold Mercurials celebrating his World Cup Golden Boot.

What he wears at Valdebebas will signal the state of talks, whether new Mercurials, an older model or even de-branded boots. Nike hold a matching right for the next six months, allowing them to equal any rival offer. Adidas and Under Armour are among the interested brands.

The French press has suggested Nike could reach 20 million euros a year, excluding bonuses. A French journalist has said discussions with an “unexpected” brand are very advanced, and the talks are said to be close to a decisive phase with no official announcement yet.

Footy Headlines adds that one proposal would go beyond a standard endorsement, giving Mbappé equity and a personal brand within a new premium boot line. The company would use his profile to enter football, while he would share directly in the growth of the business.

The model echoes Roger Federer’s alliance with On, where he took a stake, helped develop products and fronted his own line. It would make Mbappé a partner rather than a mere ambassador, a structure far harder for Nike to match than a simple annual fee.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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