Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe‘s future has been the subject of intense speculation over the course of this season, with many tipping him for a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
However, while PSG players were celebrating winning the Ligue 1 on Saturday, the club’s football director Leonardo Araujo sarcastically played down Los Blancos’ chances of signing the French attacker, saying that Real Madrid were “maybe a little too sure” about getting Mbappe’s signature.
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“In Madrid, they’ve been convinced for three years that Kylian Mbappe would end up at Real Madrid. Maybe they’re a little too sure about that?,” Araujo joked in an interview with Sky Sports Italia.
“Honestly, the discussions were always there. There is no ‘special’ meeting in Doha. Kylian, he talks with us, and we have constant communication. I think he is still in a reflection. I think there is a possibility that he stays. He can also leave. But he is thinking,” the 52-year-old sporting director told Canal+ separately.
Earlier this week, reports suggested that Mbappe and his family were gearing up to travel to Madrid to discuss the player image rights in the event of Mbappe signing for Madrid, but these reports remain unconfirmed.
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Expectedly, Mbappe himself has not said anything conclusive about his future: “Nothing has changed – so there’s nothing to say right now,” the 23-year-old told reporters in France after PSG’s 1-1 draw with Lens on Saturday, which sealed their victory in Ligue 1.
The French striker is currently the top scorer in Ligue 1, with 22 goals, and is also leading the assists charts with 14 assists, one more than Argentine maestro Lionel Messi. Even in the Champions League, where PSG were knocked out by Real Madrid, Mbappe scored six goals and four assists, and his signature would ensure Los Blancos have a worthy successor to Karim Benzema.