Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain will have people talking for the next few days but it will be interesting to see what it does for Kylian Mbappe’s future.
The Barcelona great leaves Catalonia with a heavy heart and becomes the costliest free transfer of all time.
The deal is now official and while the football world is reeling from a move that seems like it should never have happened, Liverpool fans will be watching with interest.
It’s odd. PSG are getting the best player that has ever existed and yet it’s a move that on the player’s part is dominated by sadness.
Fabrizio Romano says the move will cost PSG €35m net per season and will cost a minimum of €70m if the Argentine doesn’t extend his contract with the Parisians until 2024.
Lionel Messi joins PSG… HERE WE GO! Total agreement completed on a two-years contract. Option to extend until June 2024. Salary around €35m net per season add ons included. 🇦🇷🇫🇷 #Messi
Messi has definitely accepted PSG contract proposal and will be in Paris in the next hours. pic.twitter.com/DiM5jNzxTA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2021
For Liverpool, they will be watching with interest as it will surely have fascinating repercussions for Kylian Mbappe, whose contract will expire in 11 months’ time.
It’s unclear what motivates the Frenchman to leave PSG but it could be a desire to test himself in another league.
If so, PSG and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi will be left with little to convince him that Ligue has what it takes to satisfies his ambitions.
For all of Paris Saint-Germain’s wealth and ambition, Ligue’s competitiveness is nothing compared to the Premier League even if Lille beat them to the title.
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 10, 2021
If PSG can’t convince Mbappe to stay with the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Sergio Ramos, Gini Wijnaldum, Achraf Hakimi and Gianluigi Donnaruma among other decorated world-class stars, then it’s obvious he’s made his mind up.
While Real Madrid can offer the Frenchman a greater salary, they cannot him the chance to play in the Premier League and with an ageing squad and mountains of debt, Liverpool might fancy their chances of signing the 22-year-old for free next summer.