Mbappé's possible Real Madrid move could have financial consequences for French football

The possible departure of Kylian Mbappé in June, a story published by Le Parisien on Saturday, but not confirmed by Paris Saint-Germain, is keeping French football on tenterhooks. In the midst of negotiations for television rights covering the next five seasons, from 2024 to 2029, the departure of the best player in the division could lead to catastrophic economic damage for the French league, whose objective, at the beginning of September, was to reach €1 billion for both domestic and international rights.

The possible departure of the French national team captain from PSG could reduce the total amount of the television offer by 20%, since the player, simply by remaining in Paris, brings €140 million ($150m) in television fees alone.

The broadcasting of Ligue 1 already suffered a blow in 2020, when Mediapro announced, after committing to pay a historic figure of €800 million ($858m) per season, that it was terminating the agreement due to the losses it had suffered during the coronavirus pandemic.

PSG owner could buy French TV rights

Over the last few hours, BeIN Sports, chaired by Nasser Al Khelaïfi, president of PSG, has positioned itself as one of the favourites to take over the Ligue 1 television rights for the next five seasons. League president Vincent Labrune launched a first offer in September, priced at €1 billion for the domestic and international rights, which was flatly refuted given the lack of assurances as regards Mbappé future. Canal+, which has held the rights for more than two decades, withdrew its bid, claiming, surprisingly, that “rugby is more interesting than soccer” for its customers.

Last year, French football experienced another major setback, after Neymar, Messi, Sergio Ramos and Verratti, huge figures in Ligue 1, all left Paris Saint Germain. Without Mbappé, France (and PSG, although they have a Plan B) would be left without the only asset it currently has to attract television viewers, as interest in the league, since Qatar landed in Paris in 2011, has been declining given the absence of teams that can compete with Les Rouges-et-Bleus.

Both the league and the whole of French football are very concerned about the future of Kylian Mbappé, whose departure is not confirmed, but more and more media, now including Le Parisien, (who are very close to PSG) claim that he will not sign a renewal agreement. Ligue 1, therefore, runs the risk that the price of the rights will be considerably reduced. And all this comes with the investment fund CVC, which holds 13% of Ligue 1′s operating revenues, increasing its stake in them every year.

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When will Mbappé announce his decision?

Mbappé has not yet communicated his decision, but the most likely scenario, as stated by various media figures in France, is that he could do so before the UEFA Champions League game against Real Sociedad, which kicks off on February 14. Ligue 1, without the Frenchman, would lose the greatest asset it has had in this century, as well as a player who brings incalculable value to French soccer, anxious to know where the captain of Les Bleus will play next season.

Laure Boulleau, former PSG player and French international, is currently an ambassador for PSG and works for the French club’s media. She spoke yesterday on Canal Football Club about Mbappé's future, implying that she has been told within the club that he will go to the Spanish team.

‘I’ve been told that his signing for Madrid is a done deal’

“We have the impression that we have already seen this soap opera. In previous years I didn’t get too much information, but now I’ve been told that his signing for Madrid is a done deal. I tell myself that there’s a chance he could renew. At the same time, I would be happy for him if he left. I understand his position of not being able to say it. He has goals still to achieve. I think he also loves his club, he has respect. Let’s wait for his decision as adults,” assured the ambassador, making it clear that Mbappé has already made the decision to go to Madrid.

The Independent newspaper in England announced that Madrid and Mbappé do not have a signed agreement and that the player’s entourage is assessing all possible options, including those in the English top division. “Possible moves to Liverpool or Arsenal have been explored, but neither team wants to break their wage structure to sign him,” the publication says. “The general feeling is that Mbappé himself has decided that it is finally time to move on, but Madrid’s offer so far has not been to the liking of the player or his entourage,” it concludes.