It's been revealed that PSG were prepared to accept one Real Madrid star should the deal to take Kylian Mbappé to The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium had gone through this summer.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, famous for his transfer updates, Mauricio Pochettino and the powers that be at the Parc de Princes were only willing to entertain an offer that included exciting winger Vinícius Júnior.
Romano made the claim on his 'Here We Go' podcast yesterday.
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The 'Mbappé to Madrid' saga was one of the biggest talking points of the most recent transfer window. Despite receiving bids in excess of £170 million for the Frenchman, PSG did not budge, with Pochettino mocking Spanish journalists on 'Deadline Day' who had suggested the deal was imminent throughout August.
After the clock struck 11 on Tuesday 31st August, speculation that the 22 year old would join Carlo Ancelotti's side next summer for free began to spread. However, in the last few days, Mbappé's current employers have made it clear that they expect him to stay in the French capital for many years to come.
"I don't see Mbappé leaving at the end of the season," PSG sporting director Leonardo told Canal Plus,as quoted by Goal. "Nobody is thinking about the future of Paris Saint-Germain without Kylian. Kylian sort of represents the difference between the superficial and the deep.
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Kylian's relationship with Paris Saint-Germain is deep. That's why we don't think about anything else."
The Brazilian, who made 34 appearances for the Parisians between 1996 and 1997, also admitted that the club were angry about how 'Los Blancos' pursued their prize asset, claiming the offer and its timing were unacceptable.
"We were not happy with the behaviour of Real Madrid," Leonardo continued. "Starting negotiations for one of the best players in the world in the last week of the transfer market generated a situation we did not like.
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We were clear about our position with the offer. It was not enough. It was smaller than what we paid. The last offer they talked about never came. You can't organise a transfer market for two, three or four months and change your plans like that."
Should Leonardo be proved wrong and Real Madrid acquire Mbappé next summer, Vinícius Júnior could be an ideal replacement for PSG. Since joining the Spanish giants in 2018, the 21 year old has scored 18 goals in 122 appearances and impressed supporters with his pace, strength and trickery.
"He has extraordinary physical virtues," Brazil boss Tite said last year, as quoted by Goal. "If a normal car has five gears, he has six or seven! The torque, the acceleration, the one against one- it's impressive."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Mbappe, PSG, Real Madrid, Pochettino