The Contract Conundrum

The ongoing saga between Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) continues to deteriorate, as the French striker has officially entered the final year of his contract with the club. This means that PSG will now begin negotiations for his departure before the end of the transfer window on September 1st. The president of PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, has made it clear that they do not want to let the world's best player leave for free. The options for Mbappé's future are now wide open.

A Battle for Freedom

One option for PSG is to try and retain Mbappé against his will. However, this seems unlikely considering the player's current exclusion from the team's pre-season training camp in Asia. According to Thierry Granturco, a specialist in sports law, preventing a player from playing goes against their right to work. Therefore, PSG is obligated to include Mbappé in their professional squad by September 2nd. If they fail to do so, the player can appeal to the French Professional Football League (LFP) and potentially have his contract terminated, making him a free agent.

Exploring Legal Avenues

Another legal avenue Mbappé could explore is a FIFA regulation that states a player must participate in at least 10% of their club's official matches. If this requirement is not met, the player can terminate their contract for just cause. While it is unlikely that Mbappé will have a "blank season" waiting for his next destination, this regulation could provide him with another option to free himself from his current contract.

PSG's Dilemma

The situation is looking increasingly bleak for PSG, as they risk losing Mbappé without receiving any financial compensation. The club had originally paid 180 million euros to sign him from AS Monaco in 2017, and they are now faced with the possibility of him leaving for free. The power seems to be shifting in favor of the player, who is a global superstar and a key figure in PSG's project. As the start of the season approaches, the pressure will be on PSG to resolve the situation and avoid any negative consequences on the field.

The Countdown to Freedom

In just five months, Mbappé will be free to sign with any club of his choosing for the following season, without the need for a transfer fee. This has sparked interest from various suitors, including Real Madrid and clubs from Saudi Arabia. Unless there is a drastic change in the situation, it appears that PSG has already lost the battle to keep Mbappé. The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of one of the world's most talented footballers.

Words of the day

negotiations : négociations

termination : résiliation