French president Emmanuel Macron is pressuring Kylian Mbappe to extend his contract at Paris Saint-Germain and reject transfer interest from Real Madrid.
Striker Mbappe is out of contract at the Parc des Princes this summer and he has recently hinted at a move to Madrid while a recent interview suggested that he is open to leaving France.
Ironically, Mbappe’s last-minute winner over the Spanish giants clinched a first leg victory in the Champions League Round of 16 tie for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this week.
There have been suggestions that PSG are willing to make the 23-year-old their highest earning player by offering him improved terms on Lionel Messi ’s and Neymar’s respective contracts.
Yet time is running out for the Ligue 1 leaders, who have just over four months to stop their star player from walking out of the club as a free agent and joining a key European rival.
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That has led to an increasing sense of desperation at the Parc des Princes, as their nightmare scenario on Mbappe’s future now appears to be unfolding slowly in front of them.
Major French political figures are now attempting to persuade the superstar striker to have a change of heart and put pen to paper on a new deal in Paris.
French president Macron has contacted Mbappe directly to attempt to make him opt to stay at PSG, while former France leader Nicolas Sarkozy has made similar moves.
The details are outlined by a report in El Mundo, who claim that the moves have political motivations due to the power and influence of PSG’s Qatari ownership in France.
Sarkozy was a key player in helping ensure that the Middle East nation won the race to host the 2022 World Cup over a decade ago, at the same time in which the Qatari-linked ownership completed their purchase of PSG.
From officials in Doha, PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi and sporting director Leonardo were ordered to ensure Mbappe remains at the club at any cost.
Indeed, the superstar striker’s exit in the build-up to the Qatari World Cup would come as a significant PR blow for PSG and their Qatari ownership.
Mbappe has netted 22 goals and provided 16 assists this campaign, making him indisputably the star player of Mauricio Pochettino’s side – without his goal involvements, the side would be struggling to win games.
Mbappe’s attacking output this campaign has far exceeded that of his fellow attacking teammates Messi and Neymar, illustrating his importance to PSG.
The striker’s seemingly imminent switch to Real Madrid would be a further blow for PSG as not only would they lose their star striker but that he would be joining their key strategic rival in the power battle for the soul of European elite football, with relations strained between the clubs.
The broken relationship at boardroom level has been highlighted by their European tie, after Madrid were key players in promoting a breakaway Super League as PSG chief Al Khelaifi became a key player at UEFA – resisting any move.
PSG face a season-defining Champions League Round of 16 tie second leg against Real Madrid – potentially Mbappe’s future club – on 9 March at the Santiago Bernabeu.
