In a press conference held to introduce newly appointed coach Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain’s president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, made a resolute statement concerning the future of the team’s star player. Kylian Mbappé, the prized asset of both PSG and the French national team, has been given an ultimatum: sign a new contract this summer or face a potential departure. Al-Khelaifi’s remarks shed light on the club’s stance, driven by the desire to avoid losing the player without compensation.
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As discussions revolved around the introduction of coach Luis Enrique, reporters were eager to hear PSG’s plans in response to the uncertainty created by Mbappé’s public declaration last month expressing his desire to seek a new challenge after the upcoming season. Such a scenario poses a significant risk for the club, which has invested over $500 million in transfer fees, bonuses, and wages to nurture Mbappé’s exceptional talent. Al-Khelaifi emphasized that allowing Mbappé to leave for free in 2024 is simply not an option.
“We do not want him to leave for free in 2024,” stated Al-Khelaifi. “Our position is clear: if Kylian wants to stay, we want him to stay. But he needs to sign a new contract. We don’t want to lose the best player in the world for free. It’s impossible.”
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As the new season approaches, the fate of Mbappé’s future is set to overshadow PSG’s efforts to establish themselves as serious contenders for football’s most prestigious honors. Last summer, PSG successfully convinced Mbappé to sign a new contract, turning down advances from his long-time dream club, Real Madrid. The French club aimed to construct a new model centered around Mbappé, with the talented forward as the central star amidst a constellation of young, predominantly French talent. Losing Mbappé would force PSG to reevaluate their strategic plans once again.
During the press conference, Coach Luis Enrique refrained from revealing whether he expects Mbappé to remain in Paris for the upcoming season. However, one thing remains clear: the uncertainty surrounding Mbappé’s future is poised to cast a significant shadow over PSG’s endeavors.
In subsequent discussions with domestic news media, Al-Khelaifi set a stringent deadline for Mbappé to decide whether he will sign a new contract. He firmly asserted that the club would not allow such a valuable asset to depart without proper compensation. While Mbappé could technically choose to stay, thereby limiting the club’s influence over his fate, Al-Khelaifi deemed such a scenario unthinkable, suggesting that it would break an unwritten convention observed by the world’s best players. It is worth noting, however, that PSG had themselves breached this convention two summers ago by signing the revered Argentine Lionel Messi as a free agent from Barcelona.
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Al-Khelaifi indicated that the door is open if Mbappé ultimately decides against signing a new contract. Privately, PSG has been engaging in written correspondence with Mbappé’s management team, led by his mother, Fayza Lamari. In their most recent exchange, a three-page letter expressed disappointment with Mbappé’s position, reminding the player and his family of the substantial investments PSG has made in his development since his teenage years.
As PSG’s preseason training commences on July 10, Mbappé, along with other players who participated in international competitions in June, will return on July 17. The club hopes to obtain clarity on Mbappé’s intentions regarding the new contract before then.
Lamari, experienced in securing favorable deals on behalf of her son, will once again take center stage during face-to-face negotiations with PSG executives over the coming days. Only then will it become clear whether the words echoed by Al-Khelaifi, “No one player is bigger than the club,” will ring true or if Mbappé’s future will unfold in an unexpected manner.
