MAURICIO POCHETTINO has vowed to do everything in his power to keep Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain.
The France international’s current contract with the Ligue 1 champions expires next summer and talks over a new deal have yet to bear fruit.
But Poch has vowed to ‘fight’ tooth and nail to tie the prolific striker – who has scored 123 goals in 164 appearances for the club – down to a new deal.
The Argentine said: “The objective is to keep the best players.
“The club wants to win the Champions League and the objective of this club is to keep Neymar and Kylian for many years.
“For three months we have had a very good relationship. Both players are very committed to the club.
“Every team wants to have them in their ranks. I am optimistic that they will stay.
“After sharing a changing room with Kylian for three months, I will fight with all my might to keep him with us.”
PSG will reportedly swoop for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho should Mbappe – a long term target of Spanish giants Real Madrid – opt against penning a new deal at the Parc des Princes.
Pochettino, however, is confident the 22-year-old will ink a new deal with the French champions.
The former Spurs boss recently said of the speculation surrounding Mbappe’s future: “It’s something we are used to.
“When we talk about top clubs and top players like Kylian Mbappe who is at international level, there will always be rumours.
“The most important thing is that Kylian is quiet.
“He is quiet and focused on the team and helping them achieve their goals.
“Kylian is very mature, despite his age.
“Both club and player are trying to come to an agreement that will see Kylian stay with us for a long time.
“It’s the desire of the club and we are working on everything.
“You cannot control what happens outside. Does it have any effect on the players’ performance or the atmosphere of the team? Zero, no consequences.”
Mbappe and his PSG team-mates will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Saint-Etienne to the Parc des Princes.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
