Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and newly appointed manager Luis Enrique have weighed in on the future of Kylian Mbappé.
At the press conference to introduce Enrique, the subject of the 24-year-old obviously came up. Al-Khelaifi repeated the stance the capital club has: Either Mbappé signs a new contract or will be sold this summer.
“The club’s position on Kylian is clear,” Al-Khelaifi told reporters. “We want him to stay, but he must sign a new contract this summer. He won’t be able to leave for free, and he said so himself. One of the best players in the world will not go free.”
🚨 Nasser about Kylian Mbappé: “The club's position on Kylian is clear. We want him to stay but he must sign a new contract this summer. He won't be able to leave for free and he said so himself. One of the best players in the world will not go free.” 🗣️🇫🇷
— PSGhub (@PSGhub) July 5, 2023
Meanwhile, Enrique had a different tone than Al-Khelaifi. The Spanish tactician left the door open to the Frenchman staying with PSG for the 2023-24 season.
“When I signed, when we talked about the squad, we know that the squad can move,” Enrique told reporters. “It’s private; I can’t deliver confidences.”
🚨 Luis Enrique about Kylian Mbappé future: “When I signed, when we talked about the squad, we know that the squad can move. It's private, I can't deliver confidences.” 🇪🇸🇫🇷
— PSGhub (@PSGhub) July 5, 2023
The comments from Al-Khelaifi and Enrique come at a crucial juncture for PSG, with Mbappé’s contract set to expire in 2024. The French forward has been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants reportedly keen on securing his services.
Nonetheless, the finances remain a hurdle as Mbappé wants to secure the loyalty bonus. Also, Real Madrid seems reluctant to pay up to €200 million for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
Something will have to give at some point. The transfer saga cannot drag out late into the window with PSG not having a suitable replacement.
