Al-Khelaifi gives Mbappe FINAL DEADLINE to decide PSG future

Tom Weber

• Updated: 5 Jul 2023 19:23 BST
• 3 min read

Nasser Al-Khelaifi raised eyebrows by commenting on the Kylian Mbappe situation during Luis Enrique's unveiling as Paris Saint-Germain's new head coach, only to double down on his remarks afterwards.

The 49-year-old was asked to give his thoughts on the drama surrounding Kylian Mbappe's PSG contract after the Frenchman had announced that he won't trigger his extension, thus becoming a free agent next year. Moreover, the potentially Real Madrid-bound 24-year-old shot down speculation about a move this summer on Twitter, saying that he will continue with PSG for another season - in order to collect his massive loyalty bonus.

PSG bigwig Al-Khelaifi responded by saying: "Our position is very clear. If Kylian Mbappe wants to stay, we want him to stay. But we can't let one of the best players in the world leave on a free."

READ: PSG boss Al-Khelaifi BREAKS SILENCE on Mbappe at Enrique unveiling

After the press conference, the Qatari granted interviews to French journalists during which he reiterated this point and announced that Mbappe has a deadline by which he must communicate a final decision on his future.

What did Al-Khelaifi say?

Speaking to La Parisien, Al-Khelaifi remarked: "We want him to stay but he can't leave for free. It was our oral agreement and he had expressed it publicly in an interview. So it's not debatable. And I was really shocked to learn that he intended to leave for free."

"It's very disappointing," he added, "because Kylian is a fantastic boy, a real gentleman, and leaving for free, weakening the biggest French club, it's not like him. When I received this information, I was shocked and disappointed."

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When the reporter reminded Al-Khelaifi that the transfer window is already in full swing, he responded: "That's why he has to decide next week, or at most in two weeks. And if he doesn't want to sign a new contract, the door is open."

"It's like that for him and for everyone else. No one is bigger than the club, no player, not even me. It's very clear."