EXCLUSIVE: Sheikh Jassim has ALREADY held Mbappe Man Utd transfer talks

Steve Kay

• Updated: 14 Jun 2023 20:10 BST
• 3 min read

Prospective Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim has already spoken to PSG attacker Kylian Mbappe about the prospect of joining the Old Trafford club this summer, FootballTransfers has learned.

Mbappe has announced that he will not take up a one-year option in his PSG contract, meaning that he is liable to be a free agent in June 2024.

The Ligue 1 champions have been left frustrated by the player’s stance and relations between the France star and the leaders of the Parc des Princes side are currently deteriorating amid a situation that is being branded a crisis for Les Parisiens.

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It is one, however, that Sheikh Jassim has anticipated, with contact initiated between the Qatari businessman and PSG attacker’s entourage as early as January.

His idea is to beat Real Madrid to the 24-year-old superstar by signing him for a mammoth fee this summer from the French side.

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PSG are, of course, Qatar-owned, with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi having been forced to deny participating in the ongoing takeover battle at Man Utd.

Indeed, Mbappe to the Red Devils does appear to hinge on Sheikh Jassim winning the race to buy the club from the Glazer brothers. Presently, he appears one of two leading candidates along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS bid.

Mbappe has made transfer stance clear

Mbappe, meanwhile, has insisted that he plans to remain at PSG for next season.

“I’ve just confirmed that I don’t want to activate the clause to stay for one more season. I’ve never discussed a contract extension with PSG. But I am happy to stay here next season,” he claimed in an interview of Gazzetta dello Sport.

This would open the door to free agency in a year, which in turn would allow him to complete his childhood dream of joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.

His very public message, meanwhile, may also be his way of demonstrating to PSG’s owners, as well as Sheikh Jassim, that he is not prepared to be used as a political pawn.