22 votes

PSG prepared to sell Kylian Mbappé this summer

29 comments

  1. [8]
    oracle
    Link
    Over/under on the Saudis picking him up?

    Over/under on the Saudis picking him up?

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      drdoofenshmirtz
      Link Parent
      It depends on whether Mbappe wants to play competitive football, or whether he just wants a lot of money. I feel like he isn’t old enough to make that move. He still has lots left to accomplish.

      It depends on whether Mbappe wants to play competitive football, or whether he just wants a lot of money. I feel like he isn’t old enough to make that move. He still has lots left to accomplish.

      3 votes
      1. oracle
        Link Parent
        He's younger than I thought!

        He's younger than I thought!

        Mbappé, 24, one of the world’s most famous athletes and the cornerstone of the club’s plans to rebuild its identity around a core of top French talent, has informed P.S.G. in a letter that he will not renew his contract when it expires next June, according to an executive familiar with the discussions between Mbappé and P.S.G. The executive was not authorized to speak publicly about the talks, given their sensitive nature.

        Mbappé’s decision could force P.S.G. to consider a move it would prefer to avoid: selling Mbappé’s playing rights as soon as this summer, rather than risk losing him for nothing when his deal expires. If the club does entertain offers for Mbappé, P.S.G. will be expected to demand a price well in excess of $200 million, and possibly one that might eclipse the world record for a player.

        P.S.G.’s top officials were surprised by Mbappé’s letter, according to the executive, and learned of it after first being contacted by a French news outlet claiming to have received a copy of it before it was sent to the club. A spokeswoman for Mbappé did not respond to a request for comment. Representatives of P.S.G. also did not comment on the letter or how the club was informed of Mbappé’s intentions, which were first reported by the French sports newspaper L’Equipe.

        1 vote
    2. [4]
      culturedleftfoot
      Link Parent
      Did you mean the Saudi league or Newcastle?

      Did you mean the Saudi league or Newcastle?

      1 vote
      1. Circa285
        Link Parent
        Is there a difference? Newcastle is owned by Saudi Arabia and there's no distinction between Saudi Arabia the country and Saudi "businesses" like the Saudi league or Newcastle other than where...

        Is there a difference? Newcastle is owned by Saudi Arabia and there's no distinction between Saudi Arabia the country and Saudi "businesses" like the Saudi league or Newcastle other than where each are located. At the end of the day, Saudi Arabia pays for both.

        1 vote
      2. [2]
        drdoofenshmirtz
        Link Parent
        I meant the Saudi league, but let’s say both

        I meant the Saudi league, but let’s say both

        1. KyloRen
          Link Parent
          The Saudi league, no chance I think. He will want to be a contender for the Ballon d'or and joining the Saudi league all but kills his chances. As for Newcastle, it's probably a couple years too...

          The Saudi league, no chance I think. He will want to be a contender for the Ballon d'or and joining the Saudi league all but kills his chances. As for Newcastle, it's probably a couple years too early right now. You never know though.

    3. Xerxas
      Link Parent
      I feel like Mbappe is too good to consider a non competitive region right now.

      I feel like Mbappe is too good to consider a non competitive region right now.

      1 vote
  2. [16]
    drdoofenshmirtz
    Link
    I’d be interested to see him play for Liverpool, Bayern Munich, or Tottenham. All three have the finances to afford the transfer, especially since PSG can’t afford to lose him for nothing and will...

    I’d be interested to see him play for Liverpool, Bayern Munich, or Tottenham. All three have the finances to afford the transfer, especially since PSG can’t afford to lose him for nothing and will have to sell him for a bit less.

    I really hate Real Madrid, so I would honestly be happy to see Mbappe land anywhere that isn’t Spain.

    1 vote
    1. [4]
      Circa285
      Link Parent
      Spurs, Liverpool, and Bayern do not have the finances necessary to pry Mbappe from PSG unless PSG are willing to sell for less than 100 million. None of those clubs go out and spend large sums on...

      Spurs, Liverpool, and Bayern do not have the finances necessary to pry Mbappe from PSG unless PSG are willing to sell for less than 100 million. None of those clubs go out and spend large sums on transfers.

      2 votes
      1. [3]
        drdoofenshmirtz
        Link Parent
        Spurs are selling Kane. Bayern is selling Mane, and it sounds like it’s going to be to the Saudi league. Liverpool also has the money and could make it happen, if they want to. I don’t think...

        Spurs are selling Kane. Bayern is selling Mane, and it sounds like it’s going to be to the Saudi league. Liverpool also has the money and could make it happen, if they want to. I don’t think Mbappe is going to go for $200M+ considering everyone knows now that Mbappe wants out. PSG has to sell him or they risk getting nothing for him.

        Unfortunately, I can see him going to Real Madrid. I know you’re right when it comes to all of those teams not having a history of splashing cash for big transfers. A man can dream though. As a lifelong Bayern fan, I’d love to see him come to Munich… it also explains my hated for Real Madrid.

        1 vote
        1. [2]
          Circa285
          Link Parent
          As a Bayern fan you should know that Bayern are hoping and praying to sell Mane because his from has cratered recently and he's been pretty awful for the entire season. Bayern are not likely to...

          As a Bayern fan you should know that Bayern are hoping and praying to sell Mane because his from has cratered recently and he's been pretty awful for the entire season. Bayern are not likely to make much off of selling him. Furthermore, Bayern are not a club that frequently splashes cash to sign big players. Bayern rely on big players wanting to play for them and often (not always) sign them on a free. Germany has a much different ownership structure that limits how much money any given club can spend because the 50+1 rule all but prohibits massive cash injections from a well off owner.

          I'm a massive Spurs fan and have been all my life. We really don't know what's going to happen with Kane. Madrid are certainly trying to turn his head, but Kane is pretty enamored with the idea of breaking the Premier League scoring record and he can't do that in Madrid. I would love to see us sell him because if we don't, he's likely to walk away on a free next year. We've also signed a new manager who favors a high press and Kane's legs are not what they used to be so there are some serious questions regarding around Kane's fit in what we presume will be the new manager's tactical set up. If we do sell Kane, I can't see us spending all of the revenue on a single player because we have massive holes in our squad all over the pitch that need pretty immediate attention.

          Liverpool just spent a significant chunk of money on pacy wingers to replace Mane and Firminho and will be looking to replace Salah shortly. I don't think FSG is in a position to splash a massive amount of money on a player like Mbappe. Klopp has suggested that they'll need to work with what they have because their transfer budget isn't going to be massive during the next transfer window.

          2 votes
          1. drdoofenshmirtz
            Link Parent
            Having Mbappe up for sale could entice clubs to do some stuff that they wouldn’t normally, but who knows at this point. It will certainly be an interesting story to follow in the coming weeks....

            Having Mbappe up for sale could entice clubs to do some stuff that they wouldn’t normally, but who knows at this point. It will certainly be an interesting story to follow in the coming weeks.

            Mane was a pile of trash this season, however it’s still the Saudi league looking to purchase. Bayern is still likely to turn a profit on him regardless of the performance this season based on his previous season numbers.

            1 vote
    2. [8]
      Datzevo
      Link Parent
      I'd add Man United to that list if they get bought out by the Qataris

      I'd add Man United to that list if they get bought out by the Qataris

      1 vote
      1. [7]
        drdoofenshmirtz
        Link Parent
        As far as I know, it’s been confirmed that the sale went through. That would be really interesting. Manchester Derby, Mbappe vs Haaland....

        As far as I know, it’s been confirmed that the sale went through. That would be really interesting. Manchester Derby, Mbappe vs Haaland.

        https://utddistrict.co.uk/qatari-report-manchester-united-sale-has-finally-concluded/12/06/2023/

        2 votes
        1. [5]
          asstronaut
          Link Parent
          Wouldn’t it be Mbappe vs Walker though? He’s a winger, and Haaland is on the opposite side of the field. Would still be a great contest though.

          Wouldn’t it be Mbappe vs Walker though?
          He’s a winger, and Haaland is on the opposite side of the field.

          Would still be a great contest though.

          1 vote
          1. [4]
            drdoofenshmirtz
            Link Parent
            Just the same as people thinking that the WC final was Mbappe vs Messi. While yes, the matchup on the pitch won’t be those two, it is meant as a battle between the two faces of their respective teams.

            Just the same as people thinking that the WC final was Mbappe vs Messi. While yes, the matchup on the pitch won’t be those two, it is meant as a battle between the two faces of their respective teams.

            1 vote
            1. [3]
              asstronaut
              Link Parent
              Wouldn’t Rashford want a word in this argument then?

              Wouldn’t Rashford want a word in this argument then?

              1. [2]
                drdoofenshmirtz
                Link Parent
                What about Rashford? He would still play for sure.

                What about Rashford? He would still play for sure.

                1. Datzevo
                  Link Parent
                  Rashford is currently United's best scorer but he's not a pure striker. He's better playing at left forward than central striker.

                  Rashford is currently United's best scorer but he's not a pure striker. He's better playing at left forward than central striker.

        2. Datzevo
          Link Parent
          Nothing been confirmed but United stock spiked earlier today. You know the saying where there's smokes there's fire...

          Nothing been confirmed but United stock spiked earlier today. You know the saying where there's smokes there's fire...

          1 vote
    3. [3]
      central-dogma
      Link Parent
      Spurs? Lol

      Spurs? Lol

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        vegaobscura
        Link Parent
        Seriously, what? I get they might sell Kane, but that's a bit of delusion, that one.

        Seriously, what? I get they might sell Kane, but that's a bit of delusion, that one.

        1. scruffles0
          Link Parent
          why would mbappe even go to spurs? they have literally no project. it would be as hilarious as a gooner asking him to go to arsenal -- it makes no sense.

          why would mbappe even go to spurs? they have literally no project.

          it would be as hilarious as a gooner asking him to go to arsenal -- it makes no sense.

  3. glory
    Link
    As someone who recently started watching football cuz of the recent world cup, man what a beast Mbappe was. I really thought he would deny Messi of his trophy and almost did considering it went to...

    As someone who recently started watching football cuz of the recent world cup, man what a beast Mbappe was. I really thought he would deny Messi of his trophy and almost did considering it went to penalties. Hopefully, he doesn't join the Saudi league and joins the PL instead.

    1 vote
  4. [4]
    Thales
    Link
    A bit off topic, but for someone who is out of the loop on professional soccer, why is Saudi Arabia suddenly the top destination for so many high profile players? (Ronaldo, Benzema, potentially...

    A bit off topic, but for someone who is out of the loop on professional soccer, why is Saudi Arabia suddenly the top destination for so many high profile players? (Ronaldo, Benzema, potentially Neymar, etc.?).

    1. oracle
      Link Parent
      60 Minutes: As repression grows in Saudi Arabia, so too does investment in sports

      60 Minutes: As repression grows in Saudi Arabia, so too does investment in sports

      Saudi Arabia's massive recent investments in global sport have spurred accusations of sportswashing: the use of games and athletes to launder the image of a country while cloaking repression and authoritarian rule.

      ... The investment in sports is an essential part of a broader economic plan, Prince Abdulaziz said. Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman's "Vision 2030," a $7 trillion plan to diversify the economy beyond oil, while also softening some of the country's most restrictive social conventions and laws.

      3 votes
    2. Circa285
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      It's not a top destination for players in their prime. It's a top destination for players in their twilight years because Saudi Arabia is willing to pay fistfulls of money to draw big name players...

      It's not a top destination for players in their prime. It's a top destination for players in their twilight years because Saudi Arabia is willing to pay fistfulls of money to draw big name players to their league in order to draw attention to the league. In many ways, they're following the same path set out by MLS and the Chinese league before them. The difference is that Saudi Arabia is using football to launder their image internationally. It's really sickening.

      Edit: I should also add that there's a very, very, very, very infinitesimally small chance that PSG would ever sell to Saudi Arabia because PSG is owned by Qatar which is competing for the same global audience by buying up clubs and loading them with top tier talent. PSG was, for all intents and purposes, the Yankees, Lakers, and Patriots combined given that they had three of the best global footballers in the world (Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe) on the team at the same time.

      3 votes