Kylian Mbappé actions aligned with Real Madrid's transfer plans
Sources close to the situation have said that the PSG star's recent public statement to stay another year was part of a strategy to leave in the summer of 2021.
The latest comments from Kylian Mbappé, in which he assured fans of Paris Saint-Germain that he would be staying one more year, have not caused the slightest flutter of surprise at the Santiago Bernabéu. The strategy is going along as planned. In fact, it’s potentially even better.
Mbappé PSG stay part of Real Madrid plan
Sources familiar with the Mbappé situation have confirmed to this paper that the player has once again delayed the latest offer put in front of him to renew his contract with the Parisian giants. According to those sources, following the suspension of the French championship due to the coronavirus pandemic, the French youngster said: "I need a little more time to think.”
In exchange for more time and to keep the situation calm, Mbappé agreed to make these recent statements that would clear any doubts about an immediate transfer. This does not affect Madrid, where the idea is that their serious recruitment will take place in the summer of 2021.
BeIn Sports, also owned by the state of Qatar, was the network chosen by Mbappé to make his stance.
"I am here in Paris and I want to be part of the project,” the young star said. “I will be at PSG next season and I will try to win as many titles as possible.
"I am in the fourth year of the project. It is an important year as it is the 50th anniversary of the club. This is important in the eyes of the team and the fans, and I will try to win all the possible trophies and aim to do my best."
Without a doubt, this is very much a different attitude from the one Mbappé shared last summer, when he insinuated that he wanted to leave.
“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,” said the star, raising alarms and causing PSG to issue a harsh statement. Mbappé, himself, came out later to say that his words were ‘ambiguous’, but the tensions between him and coach Thomas Tuchel have been clear.
Real Madrid's flexible Mbappé plan
Los Blancos, after picking up their 34th league title, are very relaxed about the situation. As they see it, the ideal time to bring in arguably the greatest young talent on the planet is the summer of 2021, and many of their resources are focused on making that happen along with those close to the player.
That said, they have also considered the fact that Mbappé may renew with the side handed the Ligue 1 title upon its suspension. That would not create a drama at the Spanish club but clearly could make the operation more difficult or, at least, more expensive. The intention from the player’s representatives, if they do go for the security of an extended contract, is that there would be a release clause included in the new contract. This would open the door to Madrid, or any other club for that matter, willing to hand over something north of 200 million euros.
PSG have thrown in another complication to the mix, though. They really do not want Mbappé to leave before the summer of 2022, so that he remains with the club until after the World Cup in Qatar, where he could be one of the biggest stars. As we previously reported, PSG leaked, through its sporting director Leonardo, that they were willing to leave Mbappé out of the side in the last year of contract (season 2021/22) rather than letting him go before its completion. This is a clear tactic to pressure him into renewing.
In that scenario, with an agreement for Mbappé to leave in 2022 to go to Madrid, it would also be acceptable to the LaLiga champions. Florentino Pérez could maintain his good relationship with his opposite number, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and the signing of Mbappé, although later than desired, would coincide with the inauguration of the Santiago Bernabéu after its full transformation.