Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 6y

Kylian Mbappe pitched N'Golo Kante on potential PSG transfer

Paris Saint-German star Kylian Mbappe says he spoke to his France teammate N'Golo Kante about a potential transfer to the French champions during the World Cup.

Mbappe confirmed in an interview with France Football thatĀ PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi is interested in signing Kante from Chelsea, and that he broached the subject while Les Bleus were en route to lifting the trophy in Russia.

"It is true that the president [Al-Khelaifi] consulted me. My response was that N'Golo would do our team some good," Mbappe said.

"I spoke with N'Golo during the World Cup. I was careful to not overdo it, though, as transfers can flood your mind. In the end, I just put a few words in his pocket, which I am sure he must have discovered once he got home, to get the message across."

Kante has developed into one of the world's top defensive midfielders in his three year since leaving France for England, helping Leicester City win the Premier League title in 2015-16 before moving to Chelsea.

Reports have linked the 27-year-old to a PSG move all summer, despite Kante still having three seasons left on his Chelsea contract. However, PSG may need to sell players to facilitate what would likely be a very expensive transfer, since UEFA has already warned the club about its financial fair play obligations.

Mbappe also spoke about his relationship with Neymar and how his World Cup success will not alter their relationship at PSG.

"Not much will change between us and the way that we play together," he said. "Things are clear between us."

Mbappe listed his Brazilian teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric as potential Ballon d'Or winners and also mentioned fellow World Cup winner Raphael Varane on the topic of the award -- but not Antoine Griezmann.

"To finish off, I think that I will also put myself in there!" he added.

Mbappe even revealed that French president Emmanuel Macron expressed his hope that the PSG man will one day play for Marseille, but the teenager left him disappointed.

"He even managed to slip in a request that I play for Marseille one day," Mbappe said. "I told him that it will not happen!"

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