Leonardo said that Mbappe had a deeply intricate relationship with PSG, thus, his future in Spain was bleak.
At the time Leonardo spoke, the summer transfer window had elapsed. However, Mbappe was hopeful of joining Real Madrid on a free transfer in January 2022 summer.
This followed inconclusive talks between Real and PSG even after a third offer. The Spaniards offered the last deal of £171 m – up from the initial £145 m submitted earlier.
This is despite offering a further £8.57m (€10m) in add-ons according to SkySports. Real’s first offer before was £137m.
In the first two bids, PSG rejected this offer terming it a far cry from Mbappe’s real worth. The offer was considered a far cry from what Kylian is worth today.
“We also owe part of this money to Monaco and we consider that the bid is not sufficient,” Leonardo said then.
Hours to August 31 closure of the summer transfer window, PSG maintained a studious silence on Real’s offer.
Earlier, Leonardo opined PSG was done with Mbappe’s talks with Real.
“We have no plans to talk to Real Madrid again. The deadline is August 31 at midnight. That’s how the transfer window is, but we are clear about this: we want to keep him and extend his deal.
“But we’re not going to let him go for less than what we paid for him when we still owe Monaco money,” Leonardo opined.
Mbappe did not renew his contract with PSG as he gunned for the Spanish team.
PSG offered Mbappe a five-year contract with one additional year on the table as well as an additional salary. This would make him the third-highest PSG player after Lionel Messi and Neymar.
However, he said this was not enough.
Why Did Kylian Mbappe Change His Mind on Joining Real Madrid?
After three failed bids by Real Madrid in 2021, Mbappe changed tune and gave an almost untenable decision to join Real Madrid.
Mbappe spoke of his admiration for Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and did not mind working him at Real Madrid. This was his condition to join the Spaniards.
Spanish newspaper EL Nacional reported that Mbappe talked his heart with Real about Klopp. He reportedly told the club that he will only move to the Spanish capital if Klopp becomes Real’s manager.
Mbappe who then had a few months left to his contract with PSG said he is not convinced by Carlos Ancelloti’s leadership at Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe. Which Way? Newcastle United or Real Madrid? Photo/ Bitter and Blue
Why Kylian Mbappe Was No Longer Interested in Joining Real Madrid
Then, in December last year, Mbappe said he had no plans of joining Real Madrid in January’s free transfer.
Mbappe made all this clear during an interview with CNN in December 2021. He said that he had no plans of moving to Spain come January 2022.
He said that he is happy at PSG and will play to the last day of his contract with the team.
“I’m happy with PSG and I will finish the season [with PSG] 100 per cent. I will give everything I have to win the Champions League, the league and the cup and to give all the pleasure to the fans because they deserve it,” he said.
He added that his biggest prize is winning big while at PSG and he wants to replicate this every season. This was indicative that he could renew his contract with the Ligue 1 team.
“I think I deserve to win something great with PSG. I want to win everything this season.”
He added that having grown up in France, Paris is his city. Therefore, playing for PSG, is an amazing feeling because he plays along with his family and friends.
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