The Kylian Mbappé file at Paris Saint-Germain has officially moved to another sphere from this Monday, January 1, 2024. The striker, under contract until June 30, is now free to sign for another club to play there from summer 2024. Promise of a new series rich in speculation and desire.
Last summer, everything was clear in the mind of the captain of the France team, enough in any case for him to send a letter indicating to the club that he would not extend his contract which runs until June 2024 But the tension has subsided and calm has returned since the standoff that followed with PSG, during which the club, furious at not even being able to monetize the player valued at 180 million euros by the specialized site Transfermarkt , went so far as to sideline his star from the team.
Since then, the relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Mbappé has been solid and firmly established, the club explains. According to several media, the player has given up part of his colossal so-called “loyalty” bonuses. Asked by AFP, his entourage did not wish to comment on the months to come. As for the club, it has not communicated officially on this matter for a very long time.
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By scoring 16 goals in all competitions since the start of the season, far ahead of all the other attackers in the Parisian squad, Mbappé has further tightened his grip on PSG’s game despite sometimes inconsistent performances. The club’s leaders have nevertheless put the panic of the month of June behind them, and taken the time to consider life without their number 7, ensuring that they are no longer dependent on a single player.
They do not plan to significantly outbid compared to an already colossal current salary, estimated by Le Parisien at 72 million euros per year, without counting the signing bonus. And note that a separation would free up investment prospects. However, keeping a superstar after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar last summer remains the preferred option. To convince Kylian Mbappé, PSG is counting on the new project started this summer, which is based less on “bling-bling” than on the construction of a collective with polished play.
Coach Luis Enrique is the symbol of this and if his influence is not yet always visible on the pitch, the methods and mentality have already changed and could convince Kylian Mbappé. Because the child from Bondy is concerned about his sporting progress beyond statistics. He should also welcome the return scheduled for the end of January of the explosive left side Nuno Mendes, a frequent provider of balls in front of goal until his injury last spring.
The arrival of friends from the France team, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembélé, also helped to bring back the “smile” in the team and on Mbappé’s face, an internal source at the club wants to believe. But attitude-wise, the striker blew hot and cold, particularly in December: sulking in Dortmund (1-1) and against Lille (1-1), more smiling against Metz (3-1). At the slightest annoyance detected on his face, speculations run rampant: does his mind already have elsewhere?
Other sporting aspects could count. After having seriously struggled in the group stage of the Champions League to the point of contemplating its elimination, PSG is qualified for a very affordable round of 16 against Real Sociedad, after two eliminations against a major European player at this stage of the competition, which may have discouraged the Frenchman.
Because the premier club competition is sorely missing from the 25-year-old world champion’s track record, while his competitor for the Ballon d’Or Erling Haaland won it in his first season at Manchester City, in 2023. Eric Rabesandratana, former defender of PSG and consultant for France Bleu Paris, wants to believe it: “I know that he wants to win the Champions League quickly, but also that he wants to win it with Paris.”
To seduce him, Real Madrid, one of his favorite clubs and considered for several years as the likely destination for the Parisian, or Liverpool can rely on their track record in this competition. Media such as the Spanish newspapers AS and Marca maintain a permanent campaign, even if Kylian Mbappé has already stood up several rabbits to the Madrilenians. Real therefore asked him to decide by mid-January, according to The Athletic.
Did the Frenchman actually miss the boat last summer? Real have meanwhile found their new superstar in Jude Bellingham. The very offensive English midfielder, sparkling since the start of the season with 17 goals and 5 assists, has since a young age had the reputation of attracting all the light… Can Real host two suns?
