Football: towards a new series Kylian Mbappé during the winter transfer window ?

Kylian Mbappé foulera-t-il encore les pelouses de Ligue 1 la saison prochaine ? Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

L'attaquant français est libre dès lundi 1er janvier, de s'engager dans un autre club que le Paris SG pour y évoluer à partir de l'été 2024 mais le club parisien a des arguments pour le faire rester.

Kylian Mbappé is free from Monday, January 1, to sign for a club other than Paris SG to play there from the summer of 2024, the promise of a new soap opera rich in speculation and desire. Last summer, everything was clear in the French international's mind, enough in any case for him to send a letter telling the club that he would not extend his contract which runs until June 2024.

But the tension has subsided and calm has returned since the standoff that followed with PSG, during which the club, furious at not even being able to monetize the player valued at 180 million & #39;euros by the specialized site Transfermarkt, went so far as to sideline his star from the team. Since then, the relationship between PSG leader Nasser al-Khelaïfi and the captain of the Blues has been solid and firmly established, the club explains.

A greater hold on the team

According to several media, the player has given up part of his colossal so-called “loyalty” bonuses. Asked by AFP, his entourage did not wish to comment on the months to come. As for the club, it has not communicated officially on this matter for a very long time.

By scoring 16 goals in all competitions since the start of the season, far ahead of all the other attackers in the Parisian squad, Mbappé has further tightened his grip on PSG's game, but the club's leaders have evacuated the panic of June and took the time to consider life without their number 7, ensuring that they were no longer dependent on a single player. They do not plan to significantly outbid an already colossal current salary, estimated by Le Parisien at 72 million euros annually, not including the signing bonus. And note that a separation would free up investment prospects.

A new project at PSG

Nevertheless, keeping a superstar after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar last summer remains the preferred option. To convince Kylian Mbappé, PSG is counting on the new project started this summer, less based on "bling bling" than on the construction of a collective with polished play. Coach Luis Enrique is the symbol of this and if his influence is not yet always visible on the pitch, the methods and mentality have already changed and could convince Kylian Mbappé.

Because the native of Bondy is concerned about his sporting progress beyond statistics. He should also welcome the return scheduled for the end of January of the explosive left side Nuno Mendes, a frequent provider of balls in front of goal until his injury last spring . The arrival of friends from the French team, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembélé, also helped bring back the "smile" in the team and on Mbappé's face, wants to believe an internal source at the club.

Smiling or sulking

But when it comes to attitude, the striker blew hot and cold, particularly in December: sulking in Dortmund (1-1) and against Lille (1-1), more smiling against Metz (3-1). At the slightest annoyance detected on his face, speculations are rife: does his mind already have elsewhere? Other sporting aspects could count. After having seriously struggled in the group stage of the Champions League to the point of contemplating its elimination, PSG is qualified for a very affordable round of 16 against Real Sociedad, after two eliminations against a major European player at this time. stage of the competition, which may have discouraged the Frenchman.