Kylian Mbappe is now free to agree a pre-contract with rival clubs after Paris Saint-Germain failed to meet their contract deadline and Mauricio Pochettino has sent a message to the striker
Mauricio Pochettino issued an appeal to Kylian Mbappe as it became free for the striker to speak with other clubs. Mbappe is out of contract at PSG on 30 June, and from 1 January he can agree a pre-contract with other clubs after PSG failed to progress talks on a new deal.
Mbappe has recently hinted at a move to Real Madrid and his most recent interview suggested he would consider a move away from Paris, where he is out of contract this summer.
Real Madrid submitted a world record offer of over €220m, which was met with no response from the Ligue 1 club in the closing hours of the summer transfer window.
This led PSG sporting director Leonardo to call on Real Madrid to be punished by the authorities for pursuing the player.
At PSG, he is the highest-performing star among a gaunt attacking group that includes Lionel Messi, Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Angel di Maria.
At a press conference on Sunday, PSG boss Pochettino addressed the situation on fresh concerns that Mbappe may be distracted by his upcoming contract expiration.
The Argentine coach said: “The contractual situations affect you when you do not have the maturity to manage them.
“Kylian has the maturity. The club wants him to stay a long time. It’s between the two parties.
“We hope Kylian will continue to have the same level of performance as always.”
While PSG continue to claim that they can sign a new contract with their star striker, that probability is decreasing every week.
Leonardo, PSG sporting director, said in an interview with Le JDD and Europe1, which aired late last month: “If Mbappe decides to stay, he will stay because it is our wish.
“It is a complicated situation because we would like him to stay his whole life and we have to respect his position.
“I think there are still good opportunities to renew his contract. I believe in that.”
According to Leonardo, since joining PSG from Monaco in the summer of 2017, Mbappe has developed into the best player in the world, according to the sporting director.
He added: “Mbappe is the best player in the world.
“People will think that we say that because we want to renew his contract, but no.
“It is beyond the interest of the club. At 22, almost 23, Kylian has reached an incredible maturity.”
PSG meets Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the Champions League in February, thus intensifying Mbappe’s future in the coming months.