As rumors persist that Kylian Mbappe could leave Paris Saint-Germain as early as next summer, the Parisians are reportedly preparing to make the required adjustments to convince the young superstar to stay in the French capital. The top priority for PSG is to close an extension deal with Mbappe soon.
The club hierarchy has reached out to Mbappe's father with Leonardo, PSG's sporting director, leading the initiative, according to the latest reports from France. It is understood that talks between Leonardo and the striker's camp are now underway but a completed deal is not expected anytime soon.
Mbappe has made clear in the past that extending his stay at Parc des Princes is not a decision he would rush and it appears to be the same stance from the 21-year-old forward, AS reported.
It is expected as well that the flow of the negotiations will likely sway in favor of the PSG ace. The Parisians are said to be willing to make the necessary modifications in the club for Mbappe to keep wearing the PSG shirt.
One possible change that PSG could implement is the promotion of Mbappe as the club's central figure, which could mean that the French star will be elevated in stature at the expense of Neymar, who currently holds the honor.
If only to secure Mbappe's signature for additional years with PSG, Leonardo is said to be prioritizing the task of keeping the Frenchman. For now, the PSG executive is ready to set aside a deal discussion with Neymar, who like Mbappe will see the end of his contract in 2022.
The picture being painted by the flurry of media reports from France is that PSG's pecking order will see a major recalibration and Mbappe will take the place presently occupied by his Brazilian teammate.
While these reports remain unconfirmed, PSG making the move early is understandable as speculations continue to swirl that Mbappe could make the switch next summer. The stories were fanned by the striker's continued refusal to sign an extension with the French giants with less than two years left on his existing deal.
There were suggestions Mbappe is dodging a new deal deliberately so he can make the switch in 2021 easier. Sure enough, without a new deal and with the prospect of losing the star for nothing in 2022, PSG could be forced to make a deal on the player next summer.
And there are several landing spots for Mbappe but his most likely destination is seen as either Real Madrid or Liverpool.
PSG ambassador Youri Djorkaeff has admitted that the young star is unlikely to remain in Paris for a long time. He reckoned that the Frenchman will work to win the Champions League for the Parisians this season and he's off to a new club.
"Last year he had a great opportunity to win the Champions League. Unfortunately, he didn't. This year he will still have the opportunity ... The ideal [scenario] is that he wins it and then after he signs for a big club. Everyone will be happy," Mirror reported Djorkaeff as saying.
He added that with or without a Champions League trophy, Mbappe will still leave as it's hard to imagine the World Cup winner staying in France for another 10 years.
