Mbappe to Real Madrid back on as Pochettino backtracks on "100% stay" comments
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 29 Apr 2022 23:06 BST
- 3 min read
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino has backtracked on his previous comments stating himself and Kylian Mbappe will "100%" be at the club next year, putting their futures into serious doubt.
Pochettino has been threatened with being replaced despite winning the Ligue 1 title this season, with Tottenham boss Antonio Conte reportedly offering himself as a candidate.
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However, Mbappe is the more interesting case. The Frenchman has made it clear that he won't make up his mind on his future until after the season ends.
His contract at PSG expires this summer and he's therefore open to discussions with other clubs. The only club, however, who'd be able to pry him away from France are Real Madrid.
Los Blancos tried and failed with a huge €200 million bid for Mbappe last summer, but will be able to pick him up for free in a few weeks time if he chooses to join.
Mbappe's family has travelled to Doha, to talk to PSG's owners, and to Madrid to conduct similar meetings with Real Madrid amid speculation over where Mbappe will end up.
PSG are trying to persuade their star player to stay, but at the moment their attempts have been rewarded with a shiny, new contract.
Mbappe to Madrid back on
While Real Madrid remain confident of attracting Mbappe anyway, they've been buoyed by recent comments by the Frenchman's current manager, Pochettino.
The former Spurs head coach was quoted recently answering a question on how likely it was both he and Mbappe will still be at PSG next season. "One hundred percent," he replied. "This is what I feel today, what I see. In football, afterwards, you never know what can happen."
However, the Argentine has now backtracked on these comments to spark yet more rumours of Mbappe joining Real Madrid this upcoming transfer window. He told Amazon Prime Video before PSG's clash against Strasbourg: "My statement saying that me and Kylian will be there 100% next year? I didn't say that, that wasn't my message. I answered for today, not for next season!"
While he seemed to all-but quash Mbappe's links to PSG, those have been reopened immediately with Pochettino clearly not confident the Frenchman, or himself, with still be in Paris next season.
Real Madrid want to sign Mbappe in their bid to return to the very top of European football and win the Champions League yet again.
