PSG chief Leonardo says decision ‘soon’ on Kylian Mbappe future while Neymar renewal ‘on track’

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has offered a positive update for supporters over the contract renewal of Brazilian superstar Neymar, but was less clear-cut about the chances of Kylian Mbappe remaining at the club.

The pair are the leading lights of the team which has won three straight Ligue 1 titles in France, with PSG as a club winning the league in seven of the last eight campaigns.

A big ambition of the Parisian side, however, remains winning the Champions League – they reached the final last year, but lost to Bayern Munich. Central to that objective of being European champions has been the big spending on attackers, with Neymar’s move from Barcelona in 2017 making him the world’s most expensive transfer.

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Mbappe, who joined from Monaco in the same year on loan and then signed permanently the following summer, is the second-most expensive player in history.

However, both players’ contracts expire next summer, meaning a renewal or sale is required in the coming months to avoid losing the pair on free transfers in 2022 – and by the words of Leonardo, the Brazilian is a lot closer to extending his stay with the club.

“We talk. It is on track [with Neymar]. A contract is only decided when it is signed,” the sporting director said to France Bleu.

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But with Mbappe, although discussions are ongoing, the club chief is aware that crunch time is approaching.

“We arrive at the moment when we must take a position and make a decision.”

Leonardo also confirmed that renewals for attacking midfielder Angel Di Maria and left-back Juan Bernat, both out of contract this summer, were among the “four priority issues” the club currently have – but Julian Draxler is not yet assured of a new deal, months before his current one expires.

PSG are looking well-placed to progress in the Champions League this season after an Mbappe-inspired demolition job on Barcelona in the last-16 first leg, but they are only third in Ligue 1 after losing to Monaco last weekend.

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