Paris Saint-Germain is prepared to confront Kylian Mbappe in a legal setting after the French forward declined an offer from the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) to mediate a wage dispute, the club announced on Thursday.
PSG expressed its approval of the LFP’s mediation offer on Wednesday, but the French national team captain rejected it. Reports indicate that the 25-year-old, who had a disagreement with the club last year over a contract extension, is demanding approximately 55 million euros ($60.73 million).
The Commission suggested that Mbappe either take the issue to an employment tribunal or resolve it with the club where he enjoyed seven successful seasons and became their all-time leading scorer before transferring to Real Madrid in June.
“After considering the arguments presented by both sides yesterday, the Commission repeatedly emphasized mediation between Paris Saint-Germain and the player to reach a compromise, given PSG’s compelling arguments,” the club stated. “This mediation process has been declined by the player, contrary to the Commission’s recommendation.”
In light of the Commission’s limited legal authority to make a comprehensive decision on the situation, PSG expressed readiness to present all pertinent facts in a different legal forum over the next months and year.
Last year, it was reported that Mbappe had agreed to give up loyalty bonuses if he left PSG on a free transfer. In January, he mentioned an agreement made with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi designed to “protect all parties and maintain the club’s peace for the challenges ahead.”
PSG further noted, “Legally and factually, the player has made clear and repeated public and private commitments that should be honored, having received exceptional benefits from the club throughout his seven years in Paris. The club looks forward to these being upheld in the appropriate forum should the player choose to advance this inexplicably damaging matter further in the future.”
Mbappe’s representatives were not available for comment at this time.