Real Madrid watch as tensions grow between Mbappé and PSG
Kylian Mbappé has not hidden his frustrations over recent comments made by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, which have only driven a bigger wedge between the player and club.
The relationship between Kylian Mbappé and PSG is at a critical moment. The latest public statements from both parties revealed the tension that exists over the player's refusal to agree to a contract extension.
PSG appear unwilling to accept French star’s decision to join Real Madrid, be it this summer or the next, when his contract ends in June 2022. With Mbappé having rejected three multi-million-euro offers, PSG have decided to change tact by putting pressure on him through the media in a bid to get him to stay until at least 2023, after the World Cup in Qatar. But this maneuver by president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has only served to push the 22-year-old further from his home of the last four years
Mbappé denies Al-Khelaifi’s claims
Mbappé didn’t hide his dissatisfaction with PSG’s top brass in his last press conference with France after Al-Khelaifi claimed the young forward had requested signings as a condition for his renewal.
“I want to make it clear that I have never requested a player from Leonardo (PSG’s sporting director) or anyone at the club. I am a football player and I have to be content with what I do on the pitch,” he explained forcefully.
Later, when asked about his future, he was reluctant to discuss a contract extension at PSG and referred to himself as an “employee” of the club. “I am here to represent the French team. PSG, with all due respect to this club of which I am an employee, does not interest me at the moment,” insisted the Paris-born forward.
Mbappé’s frustrations with PSG growing
It’s not the first time that Al Khelaifi's comments have irked Mbappé of late. The PSG star was also frustrated by those made to L’Equipe, in which the PSG president assured that the player would “never” leave PSG.
"I am going to be clear: Kylian will stay in Paris, we are never going to sell him and he will never leave on a free transfer,” Al Khelaifi told the French news outlet.
Mbappé, who had at no point thought to come into conflict with his club, understood this message as a maneuver aimed at putting pressure on him and Real Madrid. However, the France international has not been intimidated by Al Khelaifi’s rhetoric and continues to leave his continuity up in the air.
“I have to make the right decision, which will be difficult; I need to look at all of my options to make a decision which is right for me,” he said recently in an interview with France Football. “Right now I am in a place where I am happy and settled. But is it the best place to be? I still don't know the answer to that.”
PSG eye Ronaldo as ‘Plan B’ to Mbappé
While Mbappé’s future remains up in the air, PSG has already begun working on finding his replacement in case the 22-year-old forward ends up leaving.
The club would like that replacement to be none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, whom the Parc des Princes board have already contacted to find out more about his situation, as this newspaper has previously reported.
The Portuguese star looks set to leave Juventus and sees Paris as a good destination at which to continue his career, although his priority remains Real Madrid.