Skip to main content

'I Don't See Mbappé Leaving': PSG Sporting Director Unmoved By Real Madrid Interest

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo said that he expects Kylian Mbappé to remain at the club after this season despite Real Madrid's attempts to sign the French star. 

The 22-year-old has yet to sign a contract extension despite multiple offers from the club and his current deal expires at the end of the season, meaning that he is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of France in January. 

"I don't see Mbappe leaving at the end of the season," Leonardo told French TV outlet Canal+ on Tuesday. "The relationship Kylian has with PSG is deep. Nobody is thinking about the future of PSG without Kylian. I can't imagine it."

Leonardo also stated that the club did not receive Real Madrid's final offer reportedly worth €200 million as the summer transfer window came to a close. Real had reportedly made a bid of €160 million ($188 million) and another worth €180 million ($212 million) before withdrawing from negotiations

"Honestly we weren't happy with Real Madrid's behavior," Leonardo said. "Starting talks for one of the best players in the world in the last week of the market caused a situation that we didn't like. Our position was clear with the offer. It wasn't enough for us. It was less than what we paid.

"The last offer that people talk about never arrived. You can't plan a transfer market for two, three or four months and change your plans just like that."

La Liga president Javier Tebas shot back, saying that PSG has "ruined football" with its approach to spending while also confirming that Real Madrid has enough money to sign both Mbappé and Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland. 

"[Real] has enough money to sign both [Kylian] Mbappe and [Erling] Haaland together. They have not lost money. On top of that, they have sold assets," Tebas told Spanish outlet Cope.

"What is not understandable is that someone who loses €400 million, is spending €500 million on wages and can still reject offers like the one for Mbappé. The rules in France are failing, they are hurting the European market. The UEFA system is wrong."

On Wednesday in Champions League against Club Brugge, Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi are expected to play together in a competitive match for the first time following Messi's sensational move to PSG this summer.

More Soccer Coverage: