Just when it seemed like the saga linking Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid had provided all the news stories it possibly could, a fourth party has been added into the mix: Kylian Mbappe.
A few weeks ago, 'El Pais' reported that PSG had a plan to convince Neymar to stay in France by getting rid of his teammate Mbappe. If the reports are to be believed, Neymar is unhappy sharing the limelight with the young French forward, so PSG came up with the idea of offering Barcelona a swap deal involving Mbappe and Philippe Coutinho. The deal would resolve the Brazilian's jealousy, and the presence of his friend Coutinho would convince him to stay in Paris.
However, it always seemed highly unlikely that Coutinho, who has talked about how Barcelona was his 'dream move', would be keen to leave the club having barely arrived. Furthermore, it was also unfeasible that Barcelona would have any desire to get rid of their record signing.
The French league leaders signed Mbappe for €180m, however they also signed Neymar for €222m, and the Brazilian, who has been reported to be unhappy in Paris, seems to be the most important player for the club. Nothing is impossible in football, especially after Neymar's record breaking transfer, and 'Mundo Deportivo' are reporting that Madrid are now planning a surprise bid for the French international, who is a confessed admirer of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Therefore, while reports in Brazil suggest that progress is being made on a potential PSG to Madrid move for Neymar, Florentino Perez's eyes have begun to wander, and Mbappe is the new apple of his eye. The young forward praised Madrid after they knocked his team out of the Champions League, although he has also said that he is at PSG to 'win every title.'
Nasser Al-Khelaifi is the man who loses out from all this. The PSG chief has been unable to quash the reports linking Neymar to Madrid, and more rumours about Mbappe are nothing but bad news for him, especially after his team's loss to Real raised question's about his leadership of the club. The pair cost €400million less than a year ago, but incomprehensibly, neither of the players' futures at the club are certain right now.