Pochettino: PSG will try to ‘seduce’ Mbappe to stay
2 min read
With each day that passes, Paris Saint-Germain star forward Kylian Mbappe gets 24 hours closer to Jan. 1, 2022, when he can sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid ahead of completing his reported desired move to the Spanish giants as a free agent next summer.
However, Fayza Lamari, Mbappe’s mother, said last week the 22-year-old was in talks with his current club about putting pen to paper on either an extension or a new deal that would keep him with the Parisians beyond the 2021-22 season.
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is not abandoning hope that he can retain Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar in the same attack.
« The club will try to convince him and seduce him to continue here, » Pochettino said of Mbappe.
The former Tottenham Hotspur boss continued:
« He is clear about things and loves football. He is 22 but is very mature to manage this type of situation regarding his future. I have no doubt in my mind that Kylian can face any challenge that the future brings him.
« You cannot underestimate football players. They have their entourage, their advisors, but it is them that take their own decisions. Kylian will take the decision he needs to take, and the club will do everything possible to keep Kylian because we are talking about one of the best players in the world. He is 22 and has great potential. »
While speaking with Le Parisien, Lamari was clear she wants Mbappe to play wherever he’ll be « happy. » Mbappe, meanwhile, admitted earlier this month he wanted to leave PSG for Real Madrid during this past summer’s transfer window that closed Aug. 31, but his employer allegedly rejected an offer of €200 million ($236 million) from « Los Blancos. »
PSG sporting director Leonardo denied ever receiving that offer this summer.
