Zinedine Zidane met Kylian Mbappe's mother to convince attacker to extend PSG contract: Reports
Zinedine Zidane has reportedly met with Kylian Mbappe's mother to convince the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ace to extend his stay in Paris, according to El Nacional.
The 2018 World Cup winner is widely touted to join Real Madrid in the summer, with reports of both parties reaching an agreement doing the rounds last month.
But the Parisians aren't giving up just yet. They are trying their best to persuade the 23-year-old to sign a new contract that will keep him beyond this summer.
They're even ready to go as far as appointing Zidane as their new manager, as the former Real Madrid coach is someone Mbappe idolized as a child.
Mbappe 🚪
Zidane 👋
It's looking like a massive summer for PSG 👀 https://t.co/9KMt9OoMll
The 49-year-old has been linked with the PSG job for a while now. It could all depend on the outcome of their game against Real Madrid in the Champions League. The sides are set to lock horns in the Round of 16, starting with the first-leg in Paris next week. Notably, the French legend won three Champions League titles in a row with Real Madrid.
If the Ligue 1 giants are knocked out, that will virtually spell the end for current manager Mauricio Pochettino who is widely touted to be Manchester United's next manager. Zidane's appointment as the new PSG manager seems like the last straw in their hopes of retaining Mbappe.
PSG already have eyes on replacement
If Mbappe indeed leaves, PSG want to bring in a player of similar quality. Several big names have been linked with the club of late, including Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Ronaldo is especially someone Zidane wants to reunite with in Paris should he indeed be appointed. The pair have worked at Real Madrid quite successfully before, lifting the three consecutive Champions League titles among a host of other silverware.
Zinedine Zidane would want PSG to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer if he takes over as manager. ✍️
🚨 Zinedine Zidane would want PSG to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer if he takes over as manager. ✍️
(Source: @marca) https://t.co/uPIsxlyAiB
The Parisians have tried to sign Ronaldo in the past but were unsuccessful in their pursuit.
However, things haven't gone well for him at Manchester United this season. He is yet to score in 2022 and the club's performances have been inconsistent. Hence, he might jump ship again in the summer and entertain the idea of playing alongside former El Clasico rivals Lionel Messi and Neymar. Also, if United fail to qualify for the Champions League, Ronaldo might exit the club.
Pochettino, meanwhile, is being considered for the Manchester United job. Interim boss Ralf Rangnick is unlikely to continue beyond this season following some poor results.