Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sporting director, Leonardo, has finally admitted that Kylian Mbappe really wants to strengthen Real Madrid.
Leonardo confirmed that he would not hold off on Mbappe’s departure. However, the Brazilian said that Madrid could only get Mbappe if the transfer value offered was in accordance with what PSG wanted.
“Kylian Mbappe wants to join Real Madrid and we will not hold him back,” Leonardo told RMC as reported by NBC.
“We said no to Madrid’s first offer, but if our conditions are met we will see. The deadline is August 31 at midnight. We will not let him go for less than what we paid when we still owed [AS] Monaco,” he continued. .
Leonardo also confirmed that PSG never actually opened the door for Mbappe. Leonardo confirmed his attitude was the same as that of club boss, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who tried to keep Mbappe at the Parc des Princes.
“We never opened the door for Kylian Mbappe to leave. Never. People say I want to sell and not Nasser, but neither I nor Nasser think the same thing [not wanting Mbappe to leave]. But if a player wants to leave it has to be on our terms , said Leonardo.
PSG recently began to soften regarding the certainty of the transfer of Mbappe. French media L’Equipe reported PSG are willing to negotiate with Madrid if they dare to pay 200 million euros.
The price tag is the latest set by PSG after rejecting the first offer that Madrid made. Les Parisien are not interested in the 160 million euro offer made by the Spanish capital team.
PSG is now also in a difficult position after the recognition from Leonardo. The reigning French League champions are relieved to let Mbappe go to Madrid or are in danger of getting nothing because the player can leave for free once his contract expires next season.
Madrid have yet to make a new offer after their first offer was rejected by PSG. However, it is said that Madrid will continue to aggressively approach PSG to want to release Mbappe ahead of the close of the transfer market earlier this season.
PSG actually wants the Mbappe fan club to pay 222 million euros or the same as what they paid when they signed Neymar from Barcelona. It’s just that, the price tag of that size will be difficult to achieve considering that Mbappe’s contract has one more season left.
Mbappe reportedly refused a contract extension with PSG because he wanted to play at Madrid. Efforts to smooth out the plan will be made by Mbappe this season or next season.
Rumors of Mbappe’s departure also threaten the trio of Lionel Messi, Mbappe and Neymar (MMN). In fact, these three players are planned to be PSG’s main weapon to win all the titles available this season.
