Kylian Mbappé has described his own club Paris Saint-Germain as a “divisive team,” amid a contract standoff between the player and the Ligue 1 champions.
Relations between PSG and Mbappé soured last month after the France international said he would not renew his contract that expires at the end of next season, meaning he can leave for free in June 2024. If he runs down his contract, PSG would be unable to recoup any of the €180 million ($197m) they spent to sign him. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let him go for free. Mbappé, Ligue 1’s top scorer in the past five seasons, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. “I think that playing for PSG doesn’t help much because it’s a divisive team, a divisive club,” he said in an interview. He did not elaborate. PSG have won nine of the past 11 league titles but Mbappé’s frustration lies with their performances in the Champions League — a trophy the French club have never won despite all their investment in the squad. PSG went out in the round of 16 this year when they were beaten by Bayern Munich, failing to score in both legs. Mbappé was injured for the first leg and said they were “helpless” in the second. Mbappé said he was the “most decisive player” in the group stage but could not explain what PSG were missing with the club hitting a “glass ceiling” in Europe. “We did what we could, period. You have to talk to the people who make the team, who organise the squad, who build this club,” he added. Meanwhile, Madrid remain hopeful of being able to conclude a deal they estimate will be worth more than €200 million ($217.87m), but they want Mbappé or PSG to make the first move before negotiations officially begin.
Madrid want to avoid last summer’s drama when the France captain decided to sign a new contract with PSG at the last minute despite Madrid being confident that his arrival appeared to be over the line. The strategy of the team and Madrid president Florentino Pérez is to keep a low profile and wait for Mbappé or PSG to make the first step toward a transfer before making a definitive bid for his signature. Madrid is the only club Mbappé wants to join this summer, sources told, and they are the only team who can afford him. the LaLiga giants have everything in place for when they get the green light either from Mbappé or PSG. They are aware the deal will exceed €200m given the fee, add-ons and commission. there has been no contact between the two clubs but Madrid have been talking to Mbappé’s entourage for some time.
