PSG winning Champions League could push Mbappe to Madrid, claims former France star
FT Desk
- 8 Mar 2022 15:12 CST
- 7 min read
Former Arsenal, Manchester United and France national team central defender Mikael Silvestre believes the most likely way Paris Saint-Germain could lose Kylian Mbappe in the summer is by winning the Champions League this season.
The French striker is widely expected to complete a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season, when his contract at PSG comes to an end.
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The Spanish giants reportedly made an offer for Mbappe in January, but PSG rejected the move and have since tried to convince their prized striker to stay put next season.
According to reports in France, the Parisian club are willing to make Mbappe the highest paid player in world football by offering him an annual salary of €50 million per year, as well as a €100m loyalty bonus for signing a new contract.
However, Silvestre doesn’t believe his compatriot is ruled by s desire to make money and would instead rather pick his next club based on what feels right.
'It is a lot about feelings rather than money'
“When you go to a new club you have to prove yourself again. Not from zero but still you have to prove yourself, you have to win the fans. It is stimulating,” Silvestre told SPORTbible.
“Has he got the strength mentally to challenge himself by staying in Paris? I don’t know.
“There has been so much talk about him going to Madrid, that not going could be felt as a disappointment.
“I think it relies a lot on what they [PSG] are going to achieve this year and how they finish the season. And how he feels about PSG as his home, because he made Paris his home.
“I think it is a lot about feelings rather than money.”
Intriguingly enough, the former Premier League star believes Mbappe’s mind could be made up by PSG winning the Champions League this season, which would provide a suitable conclusion to his time in the French capital.
When asked if he feels PSG’s chances of keeping Mbappe could actually be harmed if they become European champions, Silvestre added: “I think exactly that.
“It could be the end of the chapter at PSG because when you compete in that competition every season… once you get it, that’s it.
“You’ve reached your goal.”
