The president of Paris Saint Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi has insisted that the club’s talisman, Kylian Mbappe is not for sale.
The 22-year-old French center-forward who has been playing for PSG since 2017, has been one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. He is reportedly wanted at Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Hence, PSG have been trying everything possible to ensure that Kylian Mbappe signs a contract extension even though he still has until the end of the 2021-2022 season before his contract with the club expires.
Despite how hard PSG have been pushing to have him sign a new deal with the club, his representatives have continued to drag the situation giving room for speculation that Mbappe might leave the club this summer. His most likely destination has been reported to be Real Madrid.
Amidst all the viral reports alleging that Mbappe might leave the club either as a free agent in 2022 or before his current contract expires, the president of the club has insisted that Mbappe would stay in Paris.
“I will be clear, Mbappe is going to stay in Paris,” the club president told L’Equipe. “We will never sell him and he will never leave on a free (transfer). Mbappe has everything he needs in Paris.
“Where can he go? What club, in terms of ambition, can compete with PSG today? All I can say is that things are going well and I hope we can reach an agreement (on a new contract).
“This is Paris, this is his country. He has a mission, not only to play football, but to promote Ligue 1, his country, and his capital.”
The case of Kylian Mbappe is almost similar to that of his teammate at PSG, Neymar. The Brazilian winger joined PSG from Barcelona in 2017 and struggled to remain fit for the club.
Hence, speculations started making the round that the Brazilian wanted to return to Barcelona in 2019. However, the deal failed to materialize until 2021 when the Brazilian stunned the world by extending his stay at PSG.
While commenting on the purported desire of Neymar to return to Barcelona, the club’s president stressed that it was never the desire of the footballer to return to Spain. He claimed that it was Barcelona that wanted Neymar to return.
“Barcelona always wanted to get Neymar back, it’s no secret,” Al-Khelaifi claimed. “But did Neymar want to go? No.
“Indeed, his adaption to Paris and France was still incomplete, but call him and he will tell you how happy and fulfilled he is today.”
Both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are currently with their separate national teams for international duties. Mbappe is expected to help France to win the Euro 2020 from June 11 and Neymar is expected to help Brazil retain the Copa America starting from June 13.
