Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has now made a surprise declaration regarding superstar Kylian Mbappe's future ahead of the transfer deadline tonight.
The club chief has insisted in an interview with RMC Sports that Les Parisiens would be "fine" if the 24-year-old chooses not to sign a new deal, but further asserted that it is their desire to keep hold of their talisman for another season.
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After being heavily linked with a blockbuster move to Real Madrid in this window, Los Blancos are now said to be willing to wait until the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner becomes a free agent before securing his services.
This followed Mbappe's reported rejection of a new deal that would keep him at the Parc des Princes until 2025 and include a "guaranteed sale clause".
In a bid to avoid losing the France captain on a free in 2024, PSG attempted to sell the striker to Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal for a reported fee of £263 million (R6.1 billion), but the forward rejected the move that would have been a world-record transfer.
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Al Khelaifi has now told RMC Sports that the club will work to keep their star man, but will also be "ready" if things don't go to plan.
"We have another 24 hours. Kylian is a PSG player. We have very good discussions with him, he is a magnificent player, as a person and as a professional," he explained.
"We discussed with the rest of his family. We're going to work, try to do something.
"If we can, why not? If not, we're ready, we're fine. An extension? I don't want to talk about that."
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Mbappe recently netted a brace for the Parisian side, helping them to a 3-1 victory over RC Lens in their Ligue 1 encounter.
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