The war seems to be over, but the final battle is yet to be fought. That’s how the latest development in the PSG-Mbappe-Real triangle can be described. And the day of the final battle is not yet scheduled, but we know two possible dates: 1st of January or 10th of March. Both days represent the dates when Real Madrid can start the negotiations with Kylian Mbappe. The first one is the official one, the 1st of January 2022, when the striker’s contract with PSG will be under six months, and he can negotiate with anybody, and the second date was unofficially revealed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. According to AS, Spanish giants supremo is prepared, after the Champions League draw paired Real with PSG, to show respect and wait until their matches are over, and since the return leg is on Wednesday 9th March, he can start talking to Mbappe as early as the next day. Tuchel prepares for life without Rudiger by monitoring his former defenderOn the other hand, in this upcoming ’battle’ with Real, PSG has a lifeline (sort of), and it’s coming in a form or FIFA rule. Article 18.3 of the status settlement and transfer of players from FIFA clearly says that Real will have to inform PSG of the progress of the negotiations with Mbappe. “A club wishing to sign a contract with a professional player is required to inform the player’s current club in writing before entering into any negotiations with the player. A professional player is only free to enter into a contract with any club other than whether his contract with his current club has expired or will expire within six months“ says the rule. Competition does wonders… in theory. In reality, it causes chaos and tensions among the SaintsWhat does this mean for PSG? Well, basically nothing much, since they cannot intervene in the negotiations, because Mbappe’s contract is running out. But, they will be informed about the process of negotiations and will be able to match (or surpass) Real’s sum for the striker. And that will be the ultimate battle for Mbappe – to see if he really wants to leave to try himself in a stronger league, or that he only wants more money.
