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Leonardo accuses Real of posturing with Mbappe approach

Paris Saint Germain sporting director Leonardo has accused Real Madrid of playing games regarding...



Leonardo accuses Real of postu...
Soccer

Leonardo accuses Real of posturing with Mbappe approach

Paris Saint Germain sporting director Leonardo has accused Real Madrid of playing games regarding Kylian Mbappe.

Real have had an opening bid of €160million for the 22-year old rejected by the Ligue 1 giants.

Mbappe has entered the final year of his PSG contract, and has so far refused all offers of an extension at the Parc des Princes.

In an extraordinary interview with RMC Sport, Leonardo claims Real are merely playing games in this window so they can nab Mbappe on a free transfer next summer.

"We never left the door open for a departure," Leonardo said, "NEVER!

"People say that I want to sell and not [president] Nasser [Al-Khelaifi], but Nasser and I think the same. We are on the same wavelength.

"We defend the club. Our goal is to extend it [Mbappe's contract] and keep him.

"But if a player wants to leave, it's on our terms, it's not just for Kylian, it's for all players."

Leonardo says they "non-verbally" declined Real's initial offer, but added, "We are not holding anyone back.

"If someone wants to leave and our conditions are met, we'll see.

"But we created a dream with our players this summer, and we won't let anyone destroy it.

"The offer is considered to be a far cry from what Kylian represents today.

"We also owe part of this money to Monaco and we consider that the proposal is not sufficient."

Indeed, one of the stipulations of Mbappe's move from Monaco is that they will receive €35million commission from any future move.

PSG have brought in Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos and Georginio Wijnaldum on free transfers and massive contracts this summer.

Although Al-Khelaifi has insisted all of this was done within Financial Fair Play rules, there is a lingering sense that the club may need to jettison one of its incumbent big earners.

Leonardo says Mbappe wants to leave, but they have made "two important offers" to extend his contract, and make him one of the club's top earners.

"It looks like a strategy [from Real] for us to say 'no', Leonardo said, "to show that they have tried everything and to wait a year to have it free.

"Real Madrid have been behaving like this for two years , it's incorrect, illegal even because they contacted the player.

"It is unacceptable to us, because it is not correct.

"This is the very proof of the strategy: an offer arrives one year from the end of its contract and 7 days from the end of the transfer window.

"They want a refusal to show Kylian that they've tried everything and start negotiating for next year."

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Florentino Perez Kylian Mbappe Leonardo Lionel Messi PSG Paris Saint Germain Real Madrid