PSG confident of Lionel Messi signing extension, Kylian Mbappe may announce exit plans – Paper Round

No MLS move for Messi… yet

Paris Saint-Germain are confident that Lionel Messi will agree to sign a contract extension in the French capital, despite rumours of a summer move to MLS. The World Cup winner’s current deal is set to expire in the summer and the two parties are yet to engage in formal contract negotiations. However, Spanish media outlet Sport report that PSG remain “optimistic” that Messi is “eager to continue competing at the highest level” and that he still wants to win the Champions League again. The French champions will offer the 35-year-old a one-year contract with the player an option of extending by another year.

Paper Round’s view: Messi has proven that he is not ready to move to the MLS yet. The Argentine showed some signs of slowing down last summer – but it just seemed like he missed pre-season and needed time to settle into his new surroundings in Paris. Messi has been world class throughout this campaign and has finally added the World Cup to his trophy cabinet now. It would be easy for him to move to MLS and begin to settle down, but he genuinely has the quality to win another Champions League title. There’s not much of a risk signing the deal that PSG are tabling. He can stay for one more season then add another if he still feels like he wants to before moving to MLS.

…but it could be time for Mbappe to leave

Kylian Mbappe is considering his future at Paris Saint-Germain and may push for a summer exit, according to Sport. The 23-year-old has doubts over the project in Paris and believes that he would “perform better and improve as part of a different project”. Mbappe feels that the club have not honoured the promises from his contract renewal last summer and this is enough to make him want to leave. The report states that the Frenchman is willing to take a salary cut to leave and hopes PSG will negotiate to let him leave for under €150 million as a goodwill gesture. There is ongoing interest from Premier League trio Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, while Real Madrid president Florentino Perez “remains very attentive”.

Paper Round’s view: This would be a nightmare for PSG, but it always felt strange that Mbappe signed a contract extension last summer instead of joining Real Madrid. The French forward must really regret his decision now and he is going to have to rely on goodwill from PSG if he is going to get a move. There’s no real reason for them to sell up – especially if they want to keep Messi and Neymar to keep going all out to try and win the Champions League. If Mbappe leaves, the Ligue 1 club need to invest the money wisely. Joao Felix could be a good option, but a goal-scoring striker will probably be needed too.

Mac Allister’s going nowhere

Brighton are confident that they will be able to keep hold of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister after his spectacular performances for Argentina in Qatar. The Mirror report that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the possibility of signing the 23-year-old, but Brighton smartly tied the South American down to a new contract just before the start of the World Cup. Mac Allister’s new deal is set to run until 2025 and Brighton CEO Paul Barber has already stated that the Seagulls plan to “keep Alexis here as long as we can”.

Paper Round’s view: It was a stroke of genius to make sure Mac Allister had signed a new deal before he scooted off to the World Cup in Qatar. The Argentine youngster has become a household name since impressing during his nation’s World-Cup winning run. There’s definitely going to be plenty of interest around Mac Allister over the next few transfer windows, but Brighton have put themselves in a great position. It’s likely he will stay until the summer at least and then they can either sell up for a huge fee – or keep him for another year. Smart business from a well-run club.

Salt Bae crashed Argentina’s party

FIFA will be questioned after celebrity chef Nusret Gokce – also known as Salt Bae – was given access to the pitch and joined the Argentina players in their World Cup celebrations. The Mail reveal that there are strict FIFA rules on who is allowed to touch the World Cup trophy, “which includes former winners and heads of state”. Salt Bae – who is a friend of FIFA president Gianni Infantino – was seen pestering the Argentina players asking for pictures and videos, while snatching the World Cup trophy from players in front of the cameras.

Paper Round’s view: When you win the World Cup, you probably just want to celebrate with your team, coaches, friends and family. None of the Argentina players looked too happy having to pose with Salt Bae – especially when he decided to try to hold the trophy himself. There was a video of him trying to take a selfie with Lionel Messi too – which didn’t go down well. The PSG star simply ignored Gokce. You have to question why he was allowed on the pitch to gate-crash the Argentina celebrations.