The Mbappé soap opera recalls that of Neymar, who left FC Barcelona with a bang in 2017 to join PSG despite the bluff of his former teammate Gérard Piqué, who had assured that the Brazilian would "stay" ("Se queda" in Spanish) .
With the world champion too, every day brings its share of contradictory rumours, enough to give the headaches of the millions of supporters of the two teams.
"All the negotiations are over... We have an agreement with Madrid and Paris. Now it's up to Kylian to choose," his mother, Fayza Lamari, told Egyptian media Kora Plus on Friday.
Fayza Lamari, the mother of Kylian Mbappé, during the presentation of the French striker at Paris SG, in Paris, on September 6, 2017 FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives
No index shows a trend.
"The two offers are equal ... On the one hand we have our image (Madrid) and on the other the financial ... Not much difference", she continued.
The player has just assured that he will communicate his decision "before" the start of the next gathering of the France team, on May 28.
But it could take place this weekend, according to the French press.
Financial gold bridge?
Mbappé is expected in the evening for the last match of the season, against Metz, at the Parc des Princes, where the club is planning celebrations for the 10th league title in its history.
Chance of the calendar, it was against the Mosellans that he played his first match as a Parisian, in September 2017.
Striker Kylian Mbappé (g), with the trophy for best Ligue 1 player, alongside former player Thierry Henry, during the UNFP Trophies ceremony, in Paris, May 15, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives
The striker will also be honored on an individual basis, if he finishes top scorer and top assist of the season in L1 – a performance that no one has achieved before him.
"I hope he will stay here for many years," coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Friday.
But when asked about his star's decision, he replied: "We don't know anything. We are waiting for what can happen."
His Madrid counterpart Carlo Ancelotti was not asked about the subject on Friday evening after the draw against Betis Sevilla (0-0).
The Italian anyway prefers to focus on the upcoming Champions League final against Liverpool on May 28 at the Stade de France.
PSG French striker Kylian Mbappé (g) and Real Madrid Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti after the Champions League round of 16 second leg between the two clubs, in Madrid, March 9, 2022 JAVIER SORIANO AFP / Archives
PSG, held by Qatar, would not skimp on the financial means to seduce a player who, a year ago, had wanted to leave.
Real then made an offer of 190 million euros to buy out his last year of contract, rejected by the Parisians, sure of their power of conviction.
Farewell to Di Maria
The story would be great, for PSG, to win the C1 with the Bondynois recruited from Monaco in 2017 (against 180 M EUR), when he was only 18 years old – especially since this one is good set to become the club's all-time top scorer in a year's time.
On the other hand, his departure could have serious sporting consequences for the Parisians, who will have to find him a successor among the great attacking scorers on the market this summer, such as Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) or Sadio Mané (Liverpool ).
More generally, the club has promised a major overhaul of its system during the off-season, so as not to relive a humiliation like that experienced in March against Real in the round of 16 of C1.
Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria celebrates a goal with PSG against Lille in the French Championship, in Paris, October 29, 2021 FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives
Some executives will pack their bags, like the Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria who, after seven years which saw him become the best passer in the history of PSG, will play his last match against Metz.
The future of coach Pochettino, despite his current contract until 2023, would also be threatened.
"I don't see why I won't be here next season," he swept away, promising that "the best was yet to come."
But with or without Mbappé?
© 2022 AFP