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Paris Saint Germain’s (PSG) Brazilian icon Neymar has made encouraging noises over signing a new long-term contract with the French giants. The cash-rich Parisians are looking to finally break their duck in the UEFA Champions League after knocking out last season’s winners Bayern Munich in their recent quarter-final to reach the last four. Negotiating a new deal with Neymar could be the cherry on top for boss Mauricio Pochettino.
PSG went into their Champions League quarter final second leg 3-2 up on Bayern. The German champions won the second leg 1-0, but PSG secured their passage to the semis 3-3 on aggregate via the away goal rule. Neymar insisted in his post-match interview that extending his stay in Paris was “no longer an issue” as the club aims to lengthen his deal beyond the summer of 2022.
Neymar told ESPN Brazil reporters that he still felt “very comfortable” in the French capital and “happier than [he] was before”. These positive comments come fresh off the back of quotes from PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who sees no reason for Neymar or Kylian Mbappe to consider moving to pastures new. Al-Khelaifi insisted that the team “really [has] everything to win all the [major] tournaments”. Al-Khelaifi could not hide the fact that the team’s Qatari owners had “invested a lot in the club” with the primary goal of winning the club’s first UEFA Champions League trophy.
Will PSG’s pursuit of European glory hamper their Ligue 1 chances?
With the club’s owners making no secret of their desire to win the Champions League this season, it’s unsurprising that PSG may have taken their eyes off the ball domestically somewhat. After 32 games, PSG are not leading the way at the top of Ligue 1. A recent 1-0 loss to title rivals Lille has seen them open up a three-point gap at the summit. Even third-placed Monaco are only a point behind PSG and fourth-placed Lyon are just two points behind Pochettino’s side. Despite not even leading the way in Ligue 1 with six games remaining, the sportsbooks are still anticipating PSG to get their act together and clinch a tenth Ligue 1 title. Licensed US sports betting operator FOX Bet has still priced Les Rouge et Bleu at -154 to become champions once more.
Question marks linger over the future of Mbappe as well as Neymar
Although Neymar has becoming increasingly bullish about the likelihood of the Brazilian extending his time with PSG, French striker Kylian Mbappe has been rather more non-committal. Like Neymar, Mbappe’s current contract with PSG expires next summer and the club will be loathed to allow him to leave on a free transfer at the end of next season.
Reports continue to link Mbappe with a switch to Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid. Sources close to Mbappe have noted that it’s been his boyhood ambition to don the Real jersey and Los Blancos are planning to make him their number-one summer transfer target as they seek to refresh their forward line. Real president Florentino Perez is in the market for a new ‘Galactico’ having been recently re-elected at the Bernabeu. PSG are said to have made three separate contract offers to Mbappe in recent months, but the World Cup winner has rejected all three approaches, despite refusing to rule out remaining at the Parc des Princes.
There are some suggestions that Mbappe will opt to remain at PSG if Neymar does. Mbappe is still just 22 years-old, with another 15 years at the top of the game ahead of him. His advisors may consider recommending him to stay with PSG for another contract cycle before making the switch to the Bernabeu as he approaches his prime.
Were Neymar to consider leaving this summer, PSG could use their additional wage budget to entice Lionel Messi for a final project in European football. The legendary Argentine’s future remains up in the air at Barcelona, with Manchester City also said to be in hot pursuit of his services with an eye-watering eight-year contract said to be on the table. Either way, PSG’s Qatar Sports Investments owners will not want their squad to be weakened in the close season.
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