Kylian Mbappé (23) is set to leave Paris St Germain in January – or is he? An inventory.
Sometimes the press can play coach after all. Or would Kylian Mbappé have scored Tuesday’s penalty against Benfica Lisbon even if it weren’t for all the reports from Spanish and French media outlets that have been reporting Mbappé’s desire to leave since late Monday night? Doubtful at the very least.
Actually, Neymar had most recently established himself as PSG’s first penalty taker, but behind Mbappé’s execution and subsequent conspicuously low-key jubilation, Paris were clearly hiding a message: this is our player, the face of the club. The man who, by converting the penalty at the age of 23, is already PSG’s Champions League record goalscorer. Above all, however, remarkable: the lack of discussion before the execution. After all, that’s exactly how it all started.
Relationship with Neymar is icy
In the 5-2 win over Montpellier in mid-August, Neymar had taken the ball on the spot-kick after Mbappé had missed moments earlier – and the following night had tweets criticising the shooting hierarchy at the time. It was a new low in the two stars’ relationship, which had already been considered icy.
Mbappé subsequently lamented a lack of backing from the club to whom he had committed himself on a long-term basis barely three months earlier, rebuffing Real Madrid, according to media reports. Afterwards, the striker’s dissatisfaction is said to have increased: His demand for the signing of another top-class attacker came to nothing, and former sporting director Antero Henrique was brought back to the club instead, with whom Mbappé has a tense relationship.
According to French media reports, the 2018 World Cup winner now feels betrayed: PSG did not deliver what they promised him when he signed an extension in May. According to “L’Equipe”, Mbappé is even said to have spoken in private about having made a mistake with the decision to stay.
Sports director Luis Campos sees it differently. “He’s not thinking about it, because if he was thinking about it, he would tell me,” the Portuguese is convinced – and clearly denied the reports. “He has never told me he wants to leave in January – and I know he has never told the president either. (…) That is a categorical denial on our part.” Fellow player Achraf Hakimi accused the media representatives, “You are constructing connections. “
Mbappé himself remained silent and did not comment on the reports after the Benfica game. Whether there really is a desire to switch will probably be difficult to clarify. At least as realistic: Mbappé does not necessarily want to leave – but to put pressure on the club in order to be able to exert more influence on the decisions within the club.
A transfer in the winter is considered unlikely
A winter transfer is considered unlikely given the situation. PSG do not want to give away the attacker, who is still under contract until 2024, in any case during the season in which they want to make another attempt to win the Champions League for the first time. Qatari investor QSI is also unlikely to agree to a sale.
The situation could be different next summer. Mbappé’s contract does contain an option for another year, but this can only be exercised by the player – which is extremely unlikely given the current situation. In this case – as already this summer – there is the threat of a transfer-free departure in 2024, which PSG could prevent by selling him in 2023. The transfer theatre of the past year, it could thus receive a new staging. If it hasn’t already begun.