Time trial by Mbappé

“The boy wants to leave, but now PSG has time to convince him to stay.” This is how AS summarizes the situation created around Mbappé between now and the end of this year, one of the strong men in the market who has participated directly in the talks for the transfer of the star in the last transfer window. If for Real Madrid the operation had become a long-distance race whose goal is set on January 1 (he proposed his strategy two years ahead), for PSG a sprint is now beginning that will last only four months.

In Madrid there is optimism as Mbappé has given ample signs of staying firm in his intention to play for the white club. The best proof of this is the latest renewal offer that came from Doha and which he rejected. He would have gone on to collect 45 million net per season, the highest paid footballer on the planet, in addition to receiving a succulent bonus for the operation. Mbappé said “no” to that renewal and has valued the attitude of the Real Madrid, supporting its position of strength for so many months with that succession of offers that the white entity crowned with that of 200 million a few hours after the market closes. Everything, for a player who has four months left on his contract. It was the gesture that the player wanted and that AS had reported.

But when it comes to PSG, optimism must be moderate. The entity owned by an investment fund in the state of Qatar will use all the weapons at its disposal to renew its star and maintain the trident that Mbappé forms with Neymar and Messi, the best that has ever stepped on the pitch. It will do so with sporting and economic arguments. Ligue 1 has already turned a blind eye this campaign with the Financial Fair Play that it should have applied to PSG, which had to have sold for 180 million euros to balance accounts and has done so only for the value of 10. Of the UEFA cannot wait long either … the FFP is on hold due to the pandemic crisis.

Although money is not a problem, the biggest argument with which PSG can convince Mbappé is sports. His great trident is just starting now. If it is understood and good football and results begin to arrive, the Qatari entity has a better chance of convincing its star. But you don't have much time to do it. Only four months, since on January 1 Mbappé will be free not only to negotiate with any club, but also to sign, although it has not yet transpired whether the player's intention is to move his card in the middle of the season or wait for the summer to arrive. In that case, if you wait, you would run a double risk of suffering an unfortunate serious injury that will leave you without your next big contract (the four months between now and January 1 and the next five until the end of the season in May) .