- 10 hours ago
PSG confirm contract talks for Neymar and Mbappe
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
- 3 min read
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has confirmed that negotiations for extended contracts for Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are already under way.
In the summer of 2017 the French side spent big on Neymar, while Mbappe arrived initially on loan with the obligation to buy the following year for another large fee, with both players subsequently signing deals until the summer of 2020.
With just two years remaining on those deals, PSG are keen to tie them up for longer despite them being continually linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, with the Brazilian having left the Blaugrana initially to sign for PSG three seasons ago.
| Season | Apps | Minutes | Starts | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neymar 2020/21 Ligue 1 | 4 | 381 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Kylian Mbappe 2020/21 Ligue 1 | 6 | 448 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
The pair have formed one of the most formidable attacking partnerships in Europe and have won Ligue 1 in every season they have played together, while they helped PSG reach their first ever Champions League final in 2020 when they lost to Bayern.
Mbappe, in particular, hasn’t hidden his desire to leave the club at some point in the future for new challenges, and was a Real Madrid fan in his youth, idolising Cristiano Ronaldo.
For now, though, it seems the dynamic duo could be set to stay in Paris.
“We’ve started negotiations with Neymar, Mbappe and [Angel] Di Maria to extend their contracts,” Leonardo told the official PSG website.
“ [Juan] Bernat, too, and [Julian} Draxler is at the end of his contract. Some young people too. We will intensify this [the talks].
Leonardo also stressed that the club, like every other, has been hit hard financially by the coronavirus pandemic, but reiterated that contact had been made with Neymar and Mbappe.
“Remember that PSG suffered financial losses this year, we’re in a complicated moment and it’s not easy, but we’re talking directly with Mbappe and Neymar,” he continued.
“There is a question of timing. The idea of an extension exists. We have arrived at the moment when we must have clearer situations.”
Despite a shaky start to the season, PSG are currently at the summit of Ligue 1, having won eight out of their opening 10 matches so far.
