Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain appears to be on the approach of joining Real Madrid as a free agent, prompting France President Emmanuel Macron to make a U-turn.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, is urging Kylian Mbappe to stay at Paris Saint-Germain and reject Real Madrid’s interest in him.
Mbappe’s contract at the Parc des Princes expires this summer, and he has recently hinted at a move to Real Madrid, as well as suggesting in a recent interview that he is open to leaving France.
Mbappe’s last-minute winner over the Spanish giants clinched Mauricio Pochettino’s side a first-leg victory in the Champions League Round of 16 encounter this week.
There have been rumors that PSG is willing to make the 23-year-old the club’s highest-paid player by improving the conditions of Lionel Messi and Neymar’s contracts.
However, the Ligue 1 leaders are running out of time, with little over four months to prevent their star player from becoming a free agency and joining a major European competitor.
This has increased the air of desperation at the Parc des Princes, as their worst-case scenario for Mbappe’s future looks to be playing out slowly in front of their eyes.
Major French politicians are now striving to persuade the superstar striker to alter his mind and sign a new contract in the French capital.
A report in El Mundo lays out the details, claiming that the changes are motivated by political considerations due to PSG’s Qatari ownership’s power and influence in France.
Over a decade ago, Sarkozy played a significant role in ensuring that Qatar won the race to host the 2022 World Cup, at the same time as the Qatari-linked ownership completed their purchase of PSG.
PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi and sporting director Leonardo were given orders from officials in Doha to keep Mbappe at the club at all costs.
Indeed, the legendary striker’s departure in the run-up to the Qatari World Cup would be a major PR setback for PSG and its Qatari owners.
Mbappe has 22 goals and 16 assists this season, making him Mauricio Pochettino’s undisputed star player — without his goal contributions, the team would be struggling to win games.
Mbappe’s attacking production this season has far outstripped that of Messi and Neymar, demonstrating his value to PSG.
The striker’s rumored move to Real Madrid would be a further setback for PSG, as he would not only be leaving them without their star striker, but he would also be joining their key strategic rival in the power struggle for the soul of European elite football, with strained relations between the clubs.
The European tie has emphasized their shattered relationship at boardroom level, after Madrid were important participants in pursuing a breakaway Super League while PSG president Al Khelaifi became a significant actor at UEFA — blocking any move.
PSG will play Real Madrid, who may be Mbappe’s future club, in a season-defining Champions League Round of 16 tie second leg on March 9 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
