Arsenal and Liverpool could be set for a transfer tug-of-war for PSG star Kylian Mbappe in the summer window, if recent reports are to be believed. The French forward is nearing the end of his contract with Les Parisiens, which expires in a few months time, meaning clubs abroad can discuss a pre-contract as of January.
PSG have attempted to keep hold of their home town superstar, having rejected the option of an extra-year on his contract earlier this year. The club offered a new deal or the possibility of an exit in an ultimatum over the previous window, with neither coming to fruition, despite a world record bid from Saudi Arabia being entertained.
Things escalated as he was excluded from the squad and their pre-season tour of Japan, only to return two games into the Ligue 1 season. It has been quiet ever since, but rumbling in the background is the possibility of that exit, which continues to loom larger with every passing day.
Despite those links with a move in January, former Arsenal star Thierry Henry called for him to stay in a passionate discussion on CBS. He said: «If I'm Kylian Mbappe, I'm not going. You want to finish what you started. Why would you want to leave? You still have to win the league. He loves PSG, you have to understand that. He loves his club, he's from there… I want him to stay until the end.»
Whether he responds to those calls by doing just that or does create that move elsewhere remains to be seen, but the major players are starting to take their places. Real Madrid appear to be the favourites, having previously made their interest in Mbappe clear without managing to secure a deal.
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