With reports also suggesting Sporting Director Leonardo will be moved on, too, Mbappe might want to see the squad built in his own image. This would mean young, energetic players who know what it means to play in Paris. And one name that has come up might be an interesting one – Aurlien Tchouameni. The midfielder has long been linked with a move from current club AS Monaco.
The two teams closest to doing a deal include Liverpool and Real Madrid. Whilst the Reds and Los Blancos were seen as favourites to duke it out for his signature, it now sounds like PSG could get involved. Previous suggestions that the player was not keen to play for another French team could be tested, with PSG offering a big part in their exciting new project that starts this summer.
Real Madrid set to be irked by second French snubbing?
Madrid in particular will be annoyed at this potential outcome. Despite being a club that has global appeal and a strong French contingent in their recent history, they could be ignored again this summer. A deal for Mbappe was believed to have been wrapped up, with the club certain they had their star. This even seen them back out of a deal for Erling Haaland, leaving him to move to Manchester City instead.
To miss out on Mbappe was hard, but somewhat understandable. The fees offered by PSG and the chance to play for his boyhood club for longer, and win more titles, would appeal to most. With reports of more sway and the promise of Mbappe – not Lionel Messi or Neymar – heading the project would also appeal, though, Madrid were left in the cold.
If they miss out on a midfielder they have tracked for some time, though, it would be a body blow. And if it is their supposed marquee hire who convinces the Monaco man to move to Paris instead, it will be even worse.
Madrid are a club who are not used to being told no by anyone. To miss out on a player of the standing of Mbappe when so much was done to lure him was an embarrassment in some ways. If the player then uses his own personal sway at PSG to convince another key summer target to move there instead, though, it could be very embarrassing indeed.
PSG have a renewed sense of optimism after the Mbappe deal, and are keen to keep building an exciting new project. For Madrid, the hard work starts now to find an agreement with a player said to be swayed by the lure of playing with his compatriot in France, not Spain.
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