The relationship between PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the departing Kylian Mbappe remains strong, amid reports the forward has not been paid his full salary and bonus by the club.
Mbappe’s future has been the subject of intense speculation as he prepares to leave the Ligue 1 giants on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract – with Real Madrid the intended destination.
However, despite it being claimed by L’Equipe that PSG’s relationship with Mbappe has soured due to him still being owed part of his salary from April and a bonus payment relating to February, Mail Sport understands this is not the case.
The 25-year-old and the club came to an agreement last summer that means should the former World Cup winner leave on a free transfer then he waive some of his bonus and salary.
PSG and the player have both previously publicly stated there is an agreement in place that respects the huge investment the club have put into Mbappe’s development since he joined in a £166m transfer from Monaco in 2017.
Reports in France have claimed Kylian Mbappe is owed money by PSG as he prepares to leave the club
Mail Sport understands the relationship between Mbappe and club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi (left) remains strong, with the two parties looking to reach an agreement on payment
A final number is now being discussed between the involved parties and talks are progressing positively, with Mbappe and this season’s Champions League semi-finalists still on good terms.
The France national team captain and PSG president Al-Khelaifi embraced each other at the KAFD Globe Soccer Awards Europe in Sardinia on Tuesday and enjoyed an evening surrounded by some of European football’s biggest names.
Mbappe was named the best player in Europe for the 2023-24 season at the ceremony and gave a glowing review of PSG in his acceptance speech.
‘Here I see some great players, great manager and a great president. It is always an honour for me to be here with you guys,’ he said.
‘Another trophy and it’s always a pleasure. I would like to say thank you to my club, my president, thank you for everything to this amazing club, the best fans in the world, a big honour to play for this club and it was an amazing season.
‘We won many trophies and thank you to my team-mates, to everyone that helped me. It’s part of the journey and I want to work hard to keep my name in the history of football,’ added the Frenchman.
Mbappe won the Coupe de France in his final match for the club on Saturday and completed his final season at the club with 44 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions.
His final year was not without controversy, though, as Mbappe was left out of PSG’s pre-season squad for their tour of Asia after refusing to sign a contract extension.
He was made to train away from the first team, but subsequently decided to stay for another year and was reintegrated into the squad.
Mbappe put the speculation surrounding his future behind to lead PSG to Ligue 1 and French Cup glory, as well as the last four of the Champions League.
But, as it became increasingly likely that he would leave the club at the end of the season, Mbappe was regularly substituted in matches by Enrique, leaving the winger visibly frustrated.
He did not feature at all in either of PSG’s final two league games, as Enrique opted to rotate his squad with the title already wrapped up.
It has now been reported in the French media that PSG have saved themselves in the region of €80m (£68m) by not paying Mbappe his full salary and bonus.
Mbappe was visibly frustrated after being regularly substituted by Luis Enrique in the final weeks of the season, with the PSG superstar confirming he would not be part of their future
L’Equipe’s report states that PSG claim they simply ‘forgot’ to pay Mbappe his wages for April, although Mail Sport sources understand the mood between Mbappe and the club is a relaxed one and they are still working towards reaching an agreement on the fee owed to the player.
Mbappe looks set to leave PSG with the blessing of his team-mates after throwing a farewell party for 250 guests last week in Paris.
He is already preparing for life in Madrid, having reportedly bought a £15m mega-mansion in the Spanish capital.
His move to the Spanish giants could be announced prior to Euro 2024, with Mbappe set to lead France at the tournament in Germany 18 months on from their agonising World Cup final defeat by Argentina.
