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PSG chief doubles down on Mbappe transfer stance with Real Madrid blast

mirror.co.uk, 15 September 2021, 08:31

PSG's sporting director "never thought" of letting French superstar Kylian Mbappe go to Real Madrid this summer.

Leonardo Araujo, the Brazilian born sporting director, revealed in an interview with Canal+ that he never considered coming into this season without the French youngster.

And he added that a contract extension with the 22-year-old World Cup winner is still possible too.

The former AC Milan player turned sporting director claimed that Mbappe staying was the only outcome of the transfer window despite bids of €160million and €170m from the Spanish giants.

"We never thought of doing all this without Kylian," he said.

"We were not happy with the behaviour of Real Madrid. Starting negotiations for one of the best players in the world during the last week of the transfer window created a situation that we did not like.

"We were clear about the offer. It wasn't enough, it was less than what we paid.

"The last offer they talked about never came. You can't organise a transfer window for two, three or four months, and change your plans like that.

Should Kylian Mbappe leave PSG next summer? Have your say here.

PSG's Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi

"Nobody thinks about the future of PSG without Kylian."

Leonardo added: "I do not see Kylian leaving at the end of this season. Nobody is thinking about the future of Paris Saint-Germain without Kylian.

"Kylian represents a bit of the difference between the superficial and the deep. Kylian's relationship with Paris Saint-Germain is deep. That's why we don't think of anything else.

"Kylian represents a lot of things. Not only because he is French or one of the best players in the world. He has a way of being that we like, that everyone likes. The player is fabulous."

The sporting director was so confident of retaining one of the jewels in PSG's crown that he said the trio of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe was "not a thing to look at for only a year" and that the club would "try everything" to make sure the trio continued after this season.

Mbappe's contract runs out at the end of this season, meaning clubs can sign him for free in next summer's transfer window.

This came as La Liga president Javier Tebas said that Real Madrid might be able to afford to buy both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland next summer.

Since losing 1-0 to Lille and August 1 in the Trophée des Champions, PSG have been unbeaten, currently sitting top of Ligue 1 with five wins from five.

Current champions Lille have had a poor start the campaign, slumping to 12th with one win in five.

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