Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo insists Kylian Mbappe is still thinking about his future amid rumours linking him with Real Madrid.
The World Cup winner is out of contract at the end of the season and PSG are desperate for him to stay. They've reportedly offered the 23-year-old an eye-watering £800,000-a-week deal to stay, a contract their Spanish rivals will struggle to match.
Mbappe and Real have made no secret of their admiration for each other and the La Liga leaders remain confident of completing a deal. Yet Leonardo believes Real are a "little too sure" - as he aims to land a mental blow in the battle for Mbappe's heart.
"In Madrid, they’ve been convinced for three years that Kylian Mbappe would end up at Real Madrid," Leonardo told Sky Sport Italia after PSG claimed their 10th Ligue 1 title on Saturday evening. "Maybe they’re a little too sure about that?"
He went on to tell Canal+: "Honestly, the discussions were always there.... Kylian, he talks with us, and we have constant communication. I think he is still in a reflection. I think there is a possibility that he stays. He can also leave. But he is thinking."
It's easy to see why PSG want Mbappe to stay. The forward has scored 165 goals in 213 appearances since joining the club - initially on loan - from Monaco in the summer of 2017. His prolific form has helped them win 11 trophies, including four Ligue 1 titles.
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Yet Mbappe has failed to win the Champions League at PSG, losing to Real in the last 16 of this season's tournament. The closet he's come to lifting the famous trophy was in 2019-20, when the French giants suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the final.
Real certainly have European pedigree. They've won the Champions League a record 13 times and will take on Manchester City at the Etihad on Tuesday for a place in this season's final. The second leg of that tie will be held in Madrid on Wednesday, May 4.
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously suggested Mbappe's future would not be resolved until the Ligue 1 title was regained. "As a coach, the situation does not bother me," said Pochettino ahead of Saturday's title clincher, a 1-1 draw with Lens.
"You have to understand it. This does not only happen in Paris, but also in other clubs. This is not the first, nor the last time that such situations arise. We have to adapt. Selfishly, I would like to keep Kylian with me, of course.
"I would like to take him on vacation, take him home, keep him all the time. The club would like him to be able to stay here for a long time.
"It's a negotiation. This decision is always related to different parties. It may be taken once the objective of the title is reached, once the season is over."
