Kylian Mbappe hands PSG 'hope' as French champions line up grand contingency transfer plan

Paris Saint-Germain players are said to be "hopeful" Kylian Mbappe will snub Real Madrid and stay in France after his stoppage time winner against Rennes.

But it's also claimed the Ligue 1 leaders are lining up a contingency plan for if he leaves - with Manchester City 's Riyad Mahrez in their sights.

Mbappe is out of contract in the summer and is widely expected to join Real Madrid on a free.

He was on the verge of joining Los Blancos in the summer in a £170m deal but PSG infamously torpedoed it at the last minute, deciding to keep him to reclaim their Ligue 1 crown.

That has paid off to an extent with Mbappe firing 21 goals so far - including a last-gasp winner against Rennes on Friday that moved them 16 points clear.

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And while he still looks likely to walk away in the summer when his deal expires, Le10Sport report his teammates are still hopeful for another dramatic U-turn - this time from Mbappe himself.

Speaking after their dramatic win over Rennes, midfielder Xavi Simons said: "Kylian, he is a very decisive player. He helps us, it's good for us and for him.

"He's really a cracker, we're happy he's with us."

However Le10Sport also say he is "increasingly close" to joining Real and PSG