Kylian Mbappe has reportedly declined the offer to engage in talks with Al-Hilal representatives for a potential move to the Saudi Pro League for a combined package of a billion USD.
The French newspaper, L’Equipe reported that Mbappe refused “any discussion with the representatives of the Al-Hilal club, present in Paris this Wednesday”. The representatives were in Paris to finalize the move of the Brazilian, Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg, and formally present the offer to Mbappe’s camp.
However, the eye-watering wages are not enough for Kylian Mbappe as he is still adamant to run down his current contract at PSG, which expires in 2024. The French superstar is looking to move in 2024 as a free agent to command a higher signing fee bonus. Real Madrid has been reported as his preferred destination.
🚨💣 JUST IN: Kylian Mbappé has refused to even TALK to Al-Hilal. He will NOT join them. @lequipe 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/vpwHcgZLJa
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 26, 2023
Al-Hilal shocked the world when they offered a billion-dollar package to PSG and Kylian Mbappe, aiming to lure the French superstar to the Saudi Pro League. The Saudi club proposed to pay a transfer fee of $333 million, which would set a new record for a soccer transfer fee, surpassing PSG’s $263 million paid for Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona in 2017.
Al-Hilal also offered Kylian Mbappe a salary of $222 million for a season, with potential earnings reaching close to $777 million through commercial arrangements and image rights.
This marks the second time a PSG star has rejected Al-Hilal this summer. Earlier, Lionel Messi turned down an offer of $450 million from the Saudi Club, choosing instead to join Inter Miami over Al-Hilal.
French PFA believes PSG are breaking labor laws with their treatment of Kylian Mbappe
The French Footballers’ Union (UNFP) believes PSG’s treatment of Kylian Mbappe could land the club in hot waters with labor laws.
UNFP president Philippe Piat alleged that PSG is breaking labor laws by not allowing Mbappe to train as normal. Piat referring to the news that reported that PSG dropped Mbappe for their pre-season tour of Japan.
Piat warned that the union will be willing to lobby the club to include the French superstar back in the pre-season tour. He ended by saying, “Otherwise, it would be harassment. It would become illegal in terms of labor law.”
Philippe Piat, président de l’UNFP, sur le cas Kylian Mbappé 🥶 :
« Chacun doit savoir ce à quoi il s’expose en ne respectant pas la réglementation. C’est quand même incroyable que quelqu’un comme Mbappé, qui respecte son contrat jusqu’au bout, soit cloué au pilori. C’est même… pic.twitter.com/IEEI8CU6p6
— BeFootball (@_BeFootball) July 25, 2023
PSG is desperate to offload Kylian Mbappe this summer to avoid the risk of losing him for free next year. Mbappe’s rejection has complicated matters for PSG as they are certain they won’t receive a better financial offer for the superstar this summer.
The French superstar has refused to sign a contract extension with PSG, which puts the French club in danger with FFP. PSG was expecting to offset the high wages of Mbappe with a potential transfer fee that they were hoping to earn in the future from the forward.
However, Mbappe moving on as a free agent will make matters complex for PSG, as they would have to look for alternative ways to balance the books and avoid the risk of FFP breaches.