The mayor of Paris is disgruntled because PSG wants to sell Mbappe
"I don't understand what PSG are doing?", the Mayor of Paris said on July 25 on French news channel BFM TV when asked about PSG's sale of Mbappe. "He has to be kept in Paris. I think Mbappe also wants to stay at PSG for as long as possible."
Last month, Mbappe announced that he would not activate his one-year extension, meaning he would be free to leave PSG in June 2024. After that, PSG removed the name of the French striker from the list to Japan for the summer tour, and put him on the transfer floor.
On July 24, the European press simultaneously reported that Al Hilal sent an offer of $ 330 million to PSG with a one-year contract with a salary of $ 775 million for Mbappe. The owner of the Parc des Princes was told to quickly accept this record offer and agreed to let the Saudi Pro League club approach the 2018 World Cup champion.
After being removed by PSG from the list of going to Japan to tour, Mbappe had to stay in Paris to train with players who were no longer in the plans of new coach Luis Enrique, including Georginio Wijnaldum, Leandro Paredes, Julian Draxler, Abdou Diallo and Colin Dagba. "Mbappe is the best player in the world, a phenomenal player, and yet they are willing to take him out of the first team and sell him. I really don't understand this," added Mayor Hidalgo.
Meanwhile, the French Federation of Professional Footballers (UNFP) accused the Parisian club of "moral harassment" Mbappe and threatened to take legal action to protect the rights of the 2018 World Cup winner.
Similarly, the General Secretary of the World Association of Professional Footballers (FIFPro), Mr. Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, is dissatisfied with the way Mbappe has been treated in Paris. Baer-Hoffmann believes that the 24-year-old striker has done nothing wrong, has the right to exercise the last year of the contract and then decide the next stop.
"Many players are often criticized by clubs and fans for wanting to leave the team while under contract, promoting transfers," FIFPro general secretary told The Times. "Today, a top player respects a contract and is pressured for it. To think that such a move is unfair or disrespectful to the club is completely wrong. Both sides have agreed to a two-year extension, and Mbappe has committed to following the contract, playing hard and being very good since the signing."
According to Relevo, a newspaper based in Madrid, Spain, Mbappe has no intention of playing for Al Hilal. The 24-year-old striker is determined to complete the last year of his contract with PSG, then join Real Madrid on a free transfer. British television channel Sky Sports believes that Mbappe is ready to sit on the bench and not play for PSG for the whole 2023-2024 season, although it may affect his ability to play for France at Euro 2024.
Despite the disagreement, PSG will still have to pay Mbappe's salary and bonuses according to the contract signed in May 2022. The amount in the final year of the contract includes $65 million in salary and $98 million in loyalty fees.
