Leonardo, the sports director of the Ligue 1 giants, remains confident that new terms can be agreed with a number of top stars at the Parc des Princes
Paris Saint-Germain are hoping to get a “decision” from Kylian Mbappe on a proposed contract extension at some point, with Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Juan Bernat also set up for new terms.
The Ligue 1 champions are keen to ensure that as many top men as possible are tied in the long run, with a lot of funding pumped into building a star-studded squad.
Mbappe and Neymar are talismanic figures at Parc des Princes, but they both end up in the summer of 2022 and have yet to sign new papers despite the desire of all. man in the French capital to get contracts over the line.
What was said?
Questioning the conversations with France BleuPSG sports director Leonardo said: “On Kylian Mbappe’s contract, we have been talking for a long time.
“Before, it was pretty clear about our position and what we want. There, I think, we are reaching the point where we need to stand up and make a decision. We have good open communication.
“Neymar, he’s on the right track, but in the end he decides when he should sign and it’s still not true. We are on the same page, I think, the same for Di Maria and Bernat.
“These are the four issues we are talking about. The idea is to be there as soon as possible, because on our side, we expect all four updates. ”
Will Mbappe and Neymar sign new contracts?
PSG is doing everything they can to make sure that two superstitious players can’t slip their web.
An agreement with Neymar has been said to be nearing completion, with the most expensive player in world football apparently ready to commit to the Ligue 1 giants after several windows of deliberation.
He has been in France since 2017 and seems to be feeling more relaxed after seeing a quick return to Spain driven by a € 222 million (£ 200m / $ 262m) move from Barcelona.
Mbappe has been generating more uncertainty, with the 22-year-old taking a bit away when it comes to his future plans.
He has been linked with major sides across Europe, with Real Madrid and Liverpool saying they sit on a long list of lawyers.
The bigger picture
Any new contracts in the French capital are likely to rest on PSG maintaining the standards set over recent seasons.
Mauricio Pochettino was drafted in support of that cause, with Thomas Tuchel – who led the club to the Champions League final in 2020 – now calling in Chelsea ‘s sights.
He paid the price for a non-sexual struggle for consistency early in the current campaign, with promises still that the fourth consecutive domestic title will not go to Parc des Princes in 2021.
Leonardo has added, with PSG four points adrift of Ligue 1 leaders with 12 games left to concede: “We will definitely have an exciting end to the season.
“Paris is one of my favorites to win the title. We are not going to say that we are not thinking of winning and that we do not have the conditions to do so.
“If we look at the last few weeks, Lyon, Lille and Monaco have had an important winning streak. But the ambition and the goals are as they are. “