Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to upset Lionel Messi with their last-ditch attempt to persuade Kylian Mbappe to stay at the club.
Striker Mbappe is out of contract at the Parc des Princes this summer and he has recently hinted at a move to Real Madrid while his most recent interview suggested that he is open to leaving France.
The PSG wage bill is reported to stand at an eye-watering €300million with Messi said to top the list of earners but the club are now reportedly said to be willing to make Mbappe their highest earner.
Messi’s close friend and former Barca teammate Neymar previously held the French football record with an annual wage coming in at €36.8million with Mbappe completing the top three with a €25million wage.
It has been widely reported in France that there is a split in the camp between the South American contingent of players and the Francophone group, of whom Mbappe is the most senior.
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With the French striker out of contract at the end of the campaign, the club are hopeful their latest offer can prompt a change of heart.
PSG have seen each of their attempts to negotiate with Mbappe over a new deal end in failure – with each of their financial packages still seeing the 23-year-old earn less than his two attacking partners.
A report from Spanish outlet ABC claims that Real Madrid are willing to offer Mbappe a six-year commitment with a signing-on fee of €40million – which they are prepared to fund as they do not need to pay a transfer fee to PSG.
The report continues that Madrid’s financial package to Mbappe will be a base net salary of €21million alongside bonuses based on performances and attacking output.
Not only are PSG prepared to put together a stronger financial package but they will tell the striker that he does not need to enter a long-term agreement with the club.
Unlike Real Madrid, who want Mbappe to commit until 2028, PSG will offer a two-year contract – meaning that the striker will have greater flexibility in his future.
It is claimed that the Spanish giants are not deterred by the French club’s attempts to scupper their move for Mbappe due to the verbal agreement of the player.
While Mbappe has yet to put pen to paper with Los Blancos, it is claimed this will be fulfilled after the two clubs have played their Champions League Round of 16 clash later this season.
The report adds that Mbappe is not deciding his future based on which club will offer him more money but rather who will afford him the platform to become the best player in the world.
Mbappe has bagged 18 goals in 26 appearances this term – his attacking output far exceeding that of his fellow attacking teammates Messi and Neymar.