Mauricio Pochettino has provided a major update to Kylian Mbappe’s transfer saga.
The Paris Saint-Germain coach was speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the club’s first division match against seventh-placed RC Lens in the Parc des Princes. As it has become a canon for French journalists every time PSG plays, questions have been raised about Mbappe’s future.
It is believed that Mbappe will move to Real Madrid at the end of the season, but recent reports have claimed the striker is considering his options. One such option has been reported to extend the contract with Paris Saint-Germain, with the club planning a massive €200m financial package to get Mbappe to commit to his future for the club.
The Argentine coach told reporters that the future of Mbappe will be determined after the end of the French League season and after Paris Saint-Germain was crowned an official champion. But he confirmed that he would like the 23-year-old to stay at Paris Saint-Germain but stressed that the club and the player would only make those decisions after the end of the season.
“As a coach, the situation does not bother me. You have to understand it. This happens not only in Paris but also in other clubs,” Pochettino said in the pre-match press conference. “This is neither the first nor the last time such cases arise. We have to adapt.
“Selfishly, I would of course keep Kylian with me. I would take him on vacation, take him home, keep him all the time. The club would like him to be able to stay here for such a long time.”
“It is a negotiation. This decision is always related to different parties. It may be taken once the title goal is reached, once the season is over.”
Mathematically, PSG will be champions after their match against Lens tomorrow if they come out of a tie with three points. If they don’t win against Lens, they will have to count on Stade de Reis’ victory over second-placed Olympique de Marseille on Sunday.
Pochettino is currently not the most popular character in the Parc des Princes due to some of the club’s failures this season. The club were spectacularly shattered from the French Cup and UEFA Champions League to the ire of Parisian supporters, resulting in the club booing their players on multiple occasions during the season.
With the Ligue 1 title in hand, Pochettino pleaded with fans to support them until the end and celebrate the victory as well.
“You always have to appreciate the possibility of winning the league because when you don’t win it, it becomes a big problem,” he said. “On my personal level, this is very important.
He added: “It is also for the fans and we hope that they celebrate with us, and agree to postpone the current situation, knowing that the criticism remains constructive and that the club remains attentive to it.”
“After that, the club will make the decisions that will have to be made. I just hope that the fans will be with us tomorrow and that we can celebrate the title together.”
