PSG president: 'Mbappe must sign a new contract if he wants to stay'

FRANCE President Nasser Al-Khelaifi affirmed that PSG will not let Kylian Mbappe leave without earning a dime.

"My position is very clear. I don't want to repeat it. If Kylian wants to stay, we are very welcome. But he has to sign a new contract. We don't want to lose the best player in the world. . It's impossible. This is a French club," Al-Khelaifi announced.

Al-Khelaifi announced that PSG will not lose Mbappe.  Photo: AFP

Last month, Mbappe announced that he would not renew his contract with PSG , meaning he has the freedom to leave in the summer of 2024. In response, PSG asked the 24-year-old striker to extend, or have to find a new club this summer. Mbappe then said he is ready to stay and serve the Parc des Princes team next season.

Mbappe's attitude puts PSG in a dilemma. They don't want Mbappe to finish his contract and then move out. But because the French striker only has one year left on his contract, it is difficult for PSG to recover the amount of $ 195 million spent to recruit him from Monaco in 2017.

"Kylian said he would never leave for free. If he changes his mind today, it's not my fault. I was shocked when I heard his intentions. I know Kylian is a good player. and a great guy. Wanting to leave a French club on a free basis doesn't fit his character," Al-Khelaifi said.

The Qatari billionaire also revealed that if Mbappe does not renew within 10 days or two weeks, PSG will find a way to sell him. "No player is bigger than the club. No one has to put themselves first, not even me," he said.

Mbappe is Ligue 1's top scorer in the last five seasons. Considered the symbol of this tournament, PSG want to keep him after the departure of Lionel Messi. Mbappe almost left France twice with the desire to join Real Madrid but then decided to stay. French President Emmanuel Macron once expressed his intention to convince the 24-year-old striker to stay, but Mbappe said it was impossible.

"We've never seen one of the best players leave his country for free. It can't happen. If someone wanted to do the opposite, he was against the standards and the promise I made," Al-Khelaifi said.

Zidane wants to be Mbappe's coach
FRANCE Former Real coach Zidane Zidane expressed his desire to teach Kylian Mbappe when he returned to the military job.

"As a coach, of course, you want to lead players like Mbappe. A lot of things can happen in the future. Mbappe is also a member of the French national team. Whether at club or national level, I admire the players. what he's doing. The way Mbappe plays is fascinating and he's also strong. Hopefully Mbappe will win many Ballon d'Or in the future," Zidane told L'Équipe at an event in Aix-en- Provence . June 29th.

Zidane watched Mbappe dribble during a Champions League match between Real and PSG. Photo: Icon Sport

Zidane has not returned to coaching after leaving Real in 2021. The former France midfielder wants to spend more time with his family and wait for a suitable project. After news that Carlo Ancelotti left Real to move to lead Brazil next summer, Zidane is expected to return to the Bernabeu at that time.

The 51-year-old legend has repeatedly rejected the offer to lead PSG. The Ligue 1 champions are looking for a new captain to replace Christophe Galtier and former Spain coach Luis Enrique is a good candidate. Zidane has also been linked to lead the France team, but this possibility is unlikely when Didier Deschamps has just extended it to 2026.

Earlier this month, Mbappe announced that he would not renew with PSG when the current deal ends in the summer of 2024. This forces the French club to sell the 24-year-old striker this summer if it does not want to lose everything. Some sources in France believe that PSG has agreed to sell Mbappe to Real for a record $ 271 million.

If this happens, Zidane could work with Mbappe at Real - the only club he has managed through two periods of 2016-2018 and 2019-2021. Zidane has won the Champions League with Real for three consecutive seasons 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. This is the title Mbappe most craves and is missing from his collection.