MY ACCOUNT
Mauricio Pochettino quipped that he would like to take Kylian Mbappe “on vacation” and home with him if it ensured he will stay at Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe has just over two months remaining on his PSG contract and his future remains up in the air.
Real Madrid are reportedly confident of signing the France forward as a free agent, with Erling Haaland thought to be on his way to Manchester City rather than the Spanish capital.
Head coach Pochettino wants Mbappe to sign a long-term deal with PSG and hopes an agreement can be reached after his side have regained the Ligue 1 title, a feat they can achieve if they pick up a point against Lens on Saturday.
He told reporters: “As a coach, the situation does not bother me. 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.”
The Parisian giants are set to match the record of 10 Ligue 1 titles held by Saint-Etienne and Marseille.
PSG were dethroned by Lille last season and although there has been discontent from supporters after they missed out on Champions League glory once again, Pochettino says they must celebrate another domestic triumph.
The former Tottenham boss said: “You always have to value the possibility of winning a league title because when you don’t win it, it becomes a big problem.
“From my personal level, it is very important. It is also for the supporters and we hope that they will celebrate it with us, that they will agree to put the current situation on hold, knowing that the criticisms remain constructive and that the club remains attentive to them.
“Afterwards, the club will make the decisions that will have to be taken. I just hope that tomorrow the fans will be with us and that we can celebrate the title together.”
