Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has claimed the future of star forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe lies with his club.
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The two most expensive signings in football’s history currently have deals with the Parisian club that expire in 2022, but Al-Khelaifi has denied any possibility of either player leaving.
Speculation about Neymar wanting to leave the club and Mbappe eyeing a potential move to Real Madrid had surfaced in recent months.
The Qatari businessman ruled out either player leaving the club ever when speaking to RMC Sport, saying: “Neymar and Mbappe will remain Parisians.” He also said that the two players will ‘always’ be at the club.
The club has reportedly wanted to offer Mbappe a similar deal to Neymar since the summer of 2020, and speculation around the future of both players looks set to increase while neither player has officially decided to stay.
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino also sounded confident that the club’s most valuable players will stay beyond their contract. Speaking after PSG knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League, the Argentine said: “I am confident.
“PSG are one of the biggest clubs in the world. We can offer Neymar and Kylian what few others in the world can.”
Potential Outcomes
With the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic putting a financial strain on clubs, it is highly unlikely that any club in world football can afford a transfer fee that PSG is likely to demand for either player.
With both players’ contracts expiring next summer, the only realistic chance of either player leaving is by rejecting all approaches from PSG and agreeing on a move to another club as a free agent. Both players are allowed to do this from the beginning of next January.
This could open the door for the wealthiest clubs in Europe, such as Real Madrid or Manchester City to offer either player a deal, but finances are still likely to be an issue. Even without a transfer fee, the cost of signing either player would be enormous.
Neymar will be 30-years-old by the time his deal with PSG expires, which could deter clubs from the huge investment it would take to attract the Brazilian. Mbappe, having just turned 22 last December, is more likely to attract this investment.
The French striker has also attracted much attention from Real Madrid. Florentino Perez has reportedly spoken with his father about a potential move to Los Blancos in the past.
With Neymar more openly set on a stay with PSG, it appears Mbappe is the one who could potentially make a historic move away from Le Parc des Princes.
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