The Kylian Mbappe transfer saga looks set for another twist this summer, with reports suggesting that Paris Saint-Germain are optimistic that he will sign a new extension – with the player already reportedly in talks over a deal.
The France skipper has been the centre of controversy this summer at the Ligue 1 champions, having seemingly ruled out the possibility of extending his current contract, which is up at the end of the 2023-24 season.
As a result, the Parisian club made it clear that if the player was unwilling to commit his immediate future to their cause, he would have to look for a new club – only the player was unwilling to do so.
He looked set to be frozen out, before a return to the fold late in the summer has seen him once again front and centre of all things PSG, scoring five goals in four games already this season.
Now, though, French outlet L’Equipe report that PSG are not giving up hope of tying their superstar down to another deal and seeing him stay on at the club – thereby handing a bitter blow to Real Madrid who have long been suitors for Mbappe.
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Nasser Al-Khelaifi (left) and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly hopeful of extending Kylian Mbappe’s (right) contract
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The French skipper has been in great form at the start of 2023-24, scoring five goals in four games
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Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid have long been linked with a move for the PSG talisman
Reports claim that there are now several factors going PSG’s way that are giving president Nasser Al-Khelaifi greater optimism, with Fabrizio Romano also adding that the player has already entered talks with PSG.
For one, the club has seen two high-profile departures this summer, namely Neymar and Lionel Messi.
The former’s relationship with Mbappe had soured, and was recently sold to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal for £78million, while the latter had become a rival to Mbappe for the spotlight at PSG, before his departure for the MLS and Inter Miami.
Secondly, Les Parisiens have brought in a number of Mbappe’s Les Bleus team-mates, such as Lucas Hernandez, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele – something that is thought to have appeased the 24-year-old.
Thirdly, his younger brother, Ethan, has recently emerged as a first-team squad member, much to Mbappe’s pleasure.
Moreover, easing tensions between Mbappe and Al-Khelaifi – who referred to him as just ‘The French Captain’ in one squad address – are thought to be a factor in potentially paving the way for new talks.
However, as ever with PSG, the real key to keeping Mbappe at the club will lie in a strong Champions League run this term.
The French titans were drawn in the competition’s ‘Group of Death’ this season, and will face Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle.
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Luis Enrique has plenty of Champions League experience, winning the Treble with Barcelona in 2014-15
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The departures of Lionel Messi (left) and Neymar (right) have reportedly paved the way for Mbappe to stay at PSG
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The French superstar’s younger brother Ethan (left) has recently emerged as a first-team squad member
Yet their new manger, Luis Enrique, does have plenty of experience in the competition, winning a Treble with Barcelona in 2014-15, and his new employers will hope he can mastermind a convincing case to their wantaway talisman.
The Mbappe saga has been one of the stories of the off-season, with plenty of speculation arising over the player’s immediate future with Real Madrid constantly linked with a move for the star.
However, having bankrolled a move for Jude Bellingham this summer, it was unlikely that Los Blancos would have made an offer this summer, preferring to get their man for free next summer – something PSG were keen to avoid.
Mbappe last signed a contract at the end of 2021-22, extending his deal by two years with an option of a third, but he had indicated that he was unlikely to activate that option, much to PSG’s chagrin.
