Mbappé speech: intended exit or salary increase strategy?
The premeditated speech given by the 20-year-old striker upon being awarded with the Ligue 1 Player of the Year alludes to his intention to leave PSG.
Following his acceptance speech last night upon being awarded both Ligue 1 Player and Young Player of the Season (2018-19), it would appear that Kylian Mbappé is looking for an exit from Paris Saint-Germain. The striker stated: “I am really very happy and want to thank all of the people who put the league together. This is a very big award and time for me. I have learnt much here and maybe it's the time to take on more responsibilities, maybe at PSG, of course, or maybe elsewhere with a new project. In any case thanks everyone!”. AS understands that Mbappé's acceptance speech was pre-planned and carefully prepared with nothing improvised. This was not a veiled plea for an economic increment (as is being suggested by sources close to PSG) but the words of a player who feels that his time at the Ligue 1 club is coming to an end and who is looking for a new challenge.
First move
Madrid are now monitoring the situation carefully, anxious not to make any improper steps with club directors keen to maintain the harmonious relationship that they enjoy with the Parisian outfit. Mbappé is also aware of the interest from the Bernabeu with the lure of working with Zinedine Zidane an attractive proposition for the striker but the ball is now in the French forward's court with the player needing to make the first move before both sides can open a negotiation process.
Two years ago the then Monaco striker was close to joining Real Madrid as the LaLiga club sought to offload Gareth Bale to make way for the French player. The Cardiff born striker's reluctance to move back to England saw the move break down as Mbappé joined PSG, initially on loan and then completed the move a season later.
There was also an effort to secure the striker's signature last year after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus with Florentino Perez deeming that the French international to be the perfect replacement. The approach was met from a knock-back from the player who felt that the time was not right to leave Paris.
Roland Garros
Mbappé's speech has sent shock-waves around the world with club owner and Emir of Qatar Tamin bin Hamad Al-Thani intending to discuss the matter personally with the striker coinciding with his visit to Roland Garros next week. Sources close to the club suggest that the comments were merely a ploy from the player to increase his salary with Neymar earning 37 million euro per season and the French international on less than half pocketing 14 million euro per campaign.