EXCL: Inside a tumultuous few days at PSG - could they lose all three of Messi, Neymar AND Mbappe in one summer? - Jonathan Johnson column

Our man in Ligue 1 takes a deep dive into the drama at PSG, featuring Mbappe, Neymar and possible signings.

Real Madrid is Kylian Mbappe’s most likely next destination, but it won’t necessarily be this summer

Where else to start this week’s column than with the huge news surrounding Kylian Mbappe and his uncertain future at PSG? It’s difficult to know exactly where this story will end up.

A lot has been written about PSG wanting to sell now to avoid losing Mbappe on a free transfer next summer, but personally, I can’t see a scenario in which he leaves this summer. I think PSG’s priority has been to get rid of Messi, and now Neymar (more on that below), so I don’t see a situation whereby they’d separate from Messi, Neymar and Mbappe all in the same summer. That would be hugely detrimental, not just for PSG but for Ligue 1 as a whole, as they’re about to enter into a new cycle of TV rights, both internationally and domestically. Trying to sell the French league as a product without Mbappe in it would be a much harder sell - these are considerations that have to be taken into account.

Since this story first broke, it’s also started to look increasingly like more of a power play from Mbappe rather than him trying to force his way out. For one thing, the controversial letter in question was delivered to L’Equipe before PSG, although Mbappe’s people said they communicated this verbally to the club after he signed his contract extension last year. It all seems designed to put Mbappe in a position of power before PSG got wind of it.