Mbappe and Neymar contracts? I think PSG will have some happy news soon – Leonardo

By Sports Desk April 07, 2021

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo hopes to have happy news soon regarding contract extensions for star duo Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

PSG have been in negotiations with both Mbappe and Neymar – who are contracted to the Ligue 1 champions until 2022 – amid reported interest from LaLiga.

Mbappe has long been tipped to join Real Madrid, while speculation continues to link Neymar with a return to Barcelona, where he left for PSG in 2017.

Asked about the pair after Mbappe's brace guided PSG to a 3-2 win at holders Bayern Munich in the opening leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie, Leonardo told Sky Italy on Wednesday: "I think we'll have some news that will make us all happy soon.

"We will soon get to a more concrete situation for Mbappe and Neymar contracts."

Mbappe has scored eight Champions League goals this season – the joint-most in a single campaign in the competition by a Frenchman, along with Wissam Ben Yedder in 2017-18 and David Trezeguet in 2001-02.

Since making his Champions League debut in the 2013-14 campaign, Neymar has assisted 26 goals, the most of any player in this time. The Brazilian has now been directly involved in 67 goals (41 goals and 26 assists) in 66 appearances in the competition.

Mbappe and Neymar have combined for 10 Champions League goals since their first season together in 2017-18, at least three more than any other duo over this period.

Leonardo, meanwhile, was also quizzed on Milan and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose contract is set to expire at season's end.

Donnarumma – who worked with Leonardo before the Brazilian returned to PSG in 2019 – has been linked with PSG, Manchester United and Chelsea previously.

"I don't talk about transfers now, [Keylor] Navas is great," said Leonardo.

Related items

  • Wolves handed Nunes boost as midfielder has red card overturned Wolves handed Nunes boost as midfielder has red card overturned

    Wolves will have Matheus Nunes available for their next three matches after their appeal to the Football Association (FA) was upheld.

    Nunes, an unused substitute, was sent off late on in Wolves' 4-2 home defeat to fellow strugglers Leeds United on Saturday.

    The Portugal international had been remonstrating with the officials over the decision to allow Leeds' fourth goal, scored by Rodrigo, to stand despite what appeared to be a foul by Marc Roca in the build-up.

    Julen Lopetegui confirmed Nunes was complaining about the linesman and that they would appeal the decision, with referee Michael Salisbury having incorrectly sent the midfielder off for violent conduct, which would have resulted in him missing games against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Brentford.

    Wolves will be without Jonny, however, after the defender was sent off for a lunge on Luke Ayling.

    The defeat left Wolves in 13th place in the Premier League, one point above Leeds and just three clear of the relegation zone.

    Lopetegui thought his side were hard done by, with the former Spain coach claiming Wolves should have had a penalty.

    "I'm not waiting for [further apologies]. I just want them [the officials] to do their job," he said.

  • De Bruyne confirmed as new Belgium captain De Bruyne confirmed as new Belgium captain

    Belgium have confirmed Kevin De Bruyne will serve as their new captain.

    Manchester City star De Bruyne takes over from Eden Hazard, who announced his retirement from international football in December following Belgium's group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.

    That elimination marked the end of Roberto Martinez's time in charge, and De Bruyne will be tasked with leading the side under the stewardship of new coach Domenico Tedesco.

    De Bruyne has won 97 caps for Belgium, scoring 25 goals.

    Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and striker Romelu Lukaku, on loan at Inter from Chelsea, have been named as vice-captains.

    Belgium will begin their campaign to qualify for Euro 2024 on Friday when they face Sweden in Stockholm. They have also been drawn alongside Austria, Azerbaijan and Estonia in Group F.

    Tedesco's men face Euro 2024 hosts Germany in a friendly on March 28.

  • Arsenal defender Tomiyasu to miss remainder of season with knee injury Arsenal defender Tomiyasu to miss remainder of season with knee injury

    Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the remainder of Arsenal's push for the Premier League title due to a knee injury.

    The Japan international was withdrawn in the opening exchanges of the Gunners' Europa League clash with Sporting CP last week, with Mikel Arteta's side losing that game on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium.

    Following Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arteta conceded the situation was "not looking good" for the defender.

    It has now been confirmed that Tomiyasu will be out for the rest of the campaign after the 24-year-old underwent surgery.

    A statement from the club read: "Following his substitution during last Thursday's Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee.

    "Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of the season.

    "Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi, so he can join pre-season training ahead of next season."

    Tomiyasu featured in 21 matches across all competitions this season for Arsenal, who are hunting their first Premier League title since the 2003-04 season, though just six were as a starter, with Ben White establishing himself as first-choice on the right side.

    The Gunners hold an eight-point lead over Manchester City, who have a game in hand, with 10 matches to play.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.