Mauricio Pochettino vows to ‘FIGHT with all his energy’ to keep Kylian Mbappe from joining Real Madrid this summer… and PSG boss is ‘optimistic’ striker will sign a new long-term deal
- Real Madrid remain interested in signing PSG striker Kylian Mbappe this summer
- PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino has vowed to ‘fight’ to keep hold of his star man
- Mbappe is among Europe’s most in-form stars and PSG are keen to keep him
Mauricio Pochettino has promised Paris Saint-Germain fans he will ‘fight’ to keep hold of star man Kylian Mbappe amid strong interest from Real Madrid.
The France striker, 22, has been linked with a move away from Paris this summer having not yet signed a contract extension and his deal up in 2022.
But Pochettino is not ready to give up hope the World Cup-winning striker will remain at the Parc des Princes for the long term, despite admiring glances from Madrid.
Mauricio Pochettino addressed suggestions that Kylian Mbappe will leave PSG this summer
Pochettino (left) has promised to fight to keep hold of the World Cup-winning striker (right)
‘Mbappe to Real Madrid? I’ll fight with all my energies to keep Kylian here at PSG,’ Pochettino told Spanish radio show El Larguero.
‘PSG are doing everything possible to keep Neymar and Mbappe. I am equally optimistic that Mbappe will stay. They both have a huge commitment.’
Real Madrid missed out on Mbappe as a teenager when he eventually committed to AS Monaco, and then joining PSG.
But Zinedine Zidane is a known admirer of his French compatriot and he will have been encouraged at what he has seen so far this season.
Mbappe has enjoyed another prolific season, scoring 33 goals and adding 10 assists
The France striker celebrates PSG’s progress into the semi-finals of the Champions League
Mbappe has scored 33 goals and contributed 10 assists in another outstanding campaign for PSG.
Earlier this week, Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric talked up the possibility of playing with Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu – much to the ire of PSG.
‘Mbappe is a great player and he’s proved that with his national team and PSG,’ Modric said.
‘Great players are always welcome at Real Madrid, but it wouldn’t be right of me to speak about players at other clubs, particularly at this stage of the season.
‘We’ll have to see what happens next season, but he’s a top player and is amongst the best in the world.’
While Pochettino was quizzed on potential big name departures, he was also asked about potential arrivals this summer from LaLiga, most notably Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.
Both the Barcelona captain and Real Madrid captain are out of contract this summer and will be available on free transfers.
Pochettino’s Argentine connection, plus Neymar’s verbalised desire to reunite with his old team-mate, has seen PSG one of only a handful of viable landing spots for Messi if he elects to end his career at the Nou Camp.
‘Surely soon it will be known what happens with Leo Messi future and contract,’ Pochettino added.
On Ramos, the former Tottenham boss was much more coy.
‘Sergio Ramos? I don’t like to talk about players who are not in my team.
‘There are a lot of rumours… here at PSG we’re working to improve the team.’
There is still the possibility that Pochettino could run into Real Madrid in this season’s Champions League with both clubs making it to the semi-finals.
PSG take on Manchester City while Real Madrid face Chelsea for a spot in the Istanbul final.
When quizzed on interest in Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, Pochettino was coy
