New twist in Mbappé saga: PSG optimistic of a new deal

If the annual Kylian Mbappé soap opera (every year more indecipherable than the next), has taught us anything, it is not to take the most obvious outcome for granted. Just at a critical moment for PSG, who had been trying to sell their star player before the transfer market closes at the end of the month, the club has managed to come closer to reaching common ground with the striker. To such an extent that in Qatar, it is not ruled out that the player could strike a renewal agreement.

On Saturday, PSG were held at a 0-0 draw at home to Lorient in the first game of the new season. Luis Enrique’s debut could have turned out better, but at least there was a luxury spectator in the VIP box, Kylian Mbappé. The France international sat next to his friend Ousmane Dembélé, recently signed by the Parisians and whom he congratulated on social media on Saturday morning. Kylian looked relaxed and happy, all smiles throughout which even the French press took as a sign of appeasement with the club.

Although nothing has been signed, the two parties have seemed closer to seeing eye to eye in recent days between both parties, as confirmed to AS by sources close to Qatar. The prevailing pessimism in the French capital has turned into optimism, although without claiming victory just yet. Mbappé wants to complete the final year of his remaining contract with PSG and at no time, as he has confirmed throughout the summer, is he going to publicly declare that he wants to leave.

There were more positive signs on Sunday when Kylian Mbappé left the ‘sin bin’ and returned to train with his team mates in a light session - at least for those who were involved in the Lorient game. Saturday’s events were viewed as being “very positive”. According to to L’Équipe, Kylian’s return brought other reasons for optimism. The sports daily reports that Nasser Al Khelaïfi was present at Camp des Loges and was expected to speak personally to the player - another sign that a truce could be on the cards.

Posture unchanged

PSG meanwhile maintains its position of either selling him or renewing his contract, but they also wanted to gain strength in the negotiations. During the current transfer window, the Parisians have corrected mistakes made in previous years to forge a competitive team, and offloading many stars. It remains to be seen if Neymar follows suit, allowing PSG to fulfill the promises that prompted Mbappé to send a letter notifying them of his intention not to renew until 2025.

PSG is believed to have sent several different proposals to the France captain. The most interesting one offers him an agreement with an exit clause - something which is actually prohibited in France as stipulated in the Football Players’ Charter. A contract, even if signed by both parties would not be approved even if a private clause was agreed without the need for it to be a termination. For now, Mbappé has rejected those proposals, but the door to renewing is not closed. He will listen to PSG, with whom he does not want to force an exit right now.

Waiting on other events

It’s going to be an important few weeks in Paris. PSG has gained authority after excluding Kylian from the tour of Japan and now with Mbappé's appearence in the box at the Parc des Princes.In France, it has been seen as a gesture of good faith on the part of many leaders. Al Khelaïfi and Qatar, if they have shown one thing in recent years, is to make the most of a soap opera that can give one last turn of events.

PSG is aware that the situation with Mbappé could not last much longer. Once the transfer window is over, in September, the club is required by law to reintegrate him into the dynamics of the first team. But right now, the positions between the two parties are closer than a month ago, when the relationship seemed broken, and the former Monaco player’s entourage has shown a predisposition to meet in the coming days