[SPORT]Neymar, Mbappé and Messi: PSG on renewals and transfer rumors

[WilkerCSBD]

The sports director of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Leonardo, on Thursday considered the renewal of Brazilian Neymar "on track", while that of French Kylian Mbappé appears less clear.

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Speaking to France Bleu radio, the boss of the PSG sports field considered that although Neymar's renewal is "on track", "a contract is only closed when it is signed and has not yet been done."

Leonardo called "fanciful" the information linking Neymar's injuries with his lifestyle and his taste for partying. "He was injured, many others are injured. They talk about his lifestyle, but for a year people have not been able to leave the house. We all know his life, his history, we know that he is different, that he looks for those things to find his balance, but for us it is irreproachable, for his commitment to the club, "he said.

The Brazilian, signed for 222 million euros in 2017 from Barcelona, ends his current contract in June 2022, so the club needs to extend it if he does not want to risk leaving him free at the end of next season. A situation similar to the one he faces with Mbappé, acquired at the same time for 180 million from Monaco and whose renewal seems less on track.

"We have been talking. For a long time. It is becoming clearer what we want. At some point a decision will have to be made. I think we are approaching that moment (...) There is a good position for dialogue," said Leonardo, who He said there is a clear proposal from the club.

The PSG sports manager highlighted the importance that the young French star has in the team and wanted to clear the doubts of those who believe that they do not give him the same weight as Neymar.

"Kylian is already important. If you look at what he has done since he started at Monaco it is something unique, something huge. His position in the team is always important. I hear that Kylian wants responsibilities. Kylian already has them," he said.

Leonardo also saw the renovations of the Argentine Ángel di María and the Spanish Juan Bernat well under way. "We are negotiating four contracts. The idea is to conclude them as soon as possible, because our intention is to renew all four," said the Brazilian, who assured that the case of German Julian Draxler is also progressing but they have negotiated less.

The sporting director also referred to the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Barcelona, after having won 1-4 at the Camp Nou, and assured that the club has gained in experience to face this type of matches. "We achieved a very important victory (...) We have a broad result, but we respect Barcelona a lot. We know that anything can happen in the Champions League, we have to be focused until the end," he said.

On the ghost of the 2017 comeback, he said: "I believe in God and in work. We know what has happened in other years in a crazy competition like the Champions League and when there are three weeks between the two games it is difficult to control. We must try to be calm. We have the experience and we know that it is difficult to prepare for these matches. We will do it without thinking about the past, trying to confirm the result of the first leg and advance in a competition that is very important to us. "

Leonardo denied that PSG has disrespected Barcelona when talking about the possible arrival of Lionel Messi next season: "We have always respected Barcelona. We all know each other, there has been no lack of respect. We are going to focus on our goals and not get into other discussions. "