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'It was no to City'

Kylian Mbappe reveals he would ‘love’ to work with Pep Guardiola after talks this summer… but not at Man City

KYLIAN MBAPPE has revealed he would love to work with Pep Guardiola… but not at Manchester City.

The French strike sensation joined Paris Saint-Germain in a sensational loan deal from Monaco on deadline day.

 Kylian Mbappe was unveiled as a PSG player earlier this week in incredible loan move from Monaco
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Kylian Mbappe was unveiled as a PSG player earlier this week in incredible loan move from MonacoCredit: AFP
 Kylian Mbappe was introduced to fans in Paris after switch from Ligue 1 rivals
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Kylian Mbappe was introduced to fans in Paris after switch from Ligue 1 rivalsCredit: AFP or licensors

That drew to an end one of the summer’s longest transfer sagas – with City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid all expressing an interest in the teenager.

Parisian Mbappe, 18, ultimately decided to remain in Ligue 1 with Unai Emery’s PSG, who will make the move permanent for a £166million fee before the start of next season.

But the France frontman revealed he held constructive talks with Etihad boss Guardiola before decided to join his hometown club.

He said: “He (Guardiola) is a coach who lives and breathes football.

“He has won everywhere and he transmits his passion, he really gives you a desire to play, to just think about the game, because he only talks about the game.

“He doesn't talk at all about what happens around it.

 Pep Guardiola was desperate to bring Mbappe to Manchester City and held talks with the striker
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Pep Guardiola was desperate to bring Mbappe to Manchester City and held talks with the strikerCredit: AFP
 Mbappe revealed he was impressed by Pep Guardiola who 'lives and breathes football'
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Mbappe revealed he was impressed by Pep Guardiola who 'lives and breathes football'Credit: Getty

“Coach Emery also talks a lot about the game. I love coaches who only talk about the game, because that is what interests us.

“Those two coaches have a passion for football that goes above and beyond their profession. It's good to work with people like that.

“When I saw him, we talked tactical setups, the way in which he would use me.

“We talked more about that than my qualities, because I know myself better than anyone. Even Guardiola can't tell me what I already know.

“I didn't say 'no' to Guardiola, I said 'no' to Manchester City.”


Will Kylian Mbappe make his PSG debut against Metz? Don't miss a second with our live blog


 Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene for Monaco last season and netted against Man City in the Champions League
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Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene for Monaco last season and netted against Man City in the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP or licensors

Mbappe burst onto the world scene last season with a magnificent breakthrough campaign at Monaco.

He bagged 26 goals in 44 matches for the Principality club and has since earned six caps for France.

PSG’s new No 29 is set to make his debut against Metz on Friday evening in what will be just the 42nd top-flight game of his career.

And Mbappe – who became the world’s second-most expensive signing after fellow PSG newboy Neymar joined for £198m – insists he chose the Parc des Princes as he felt it was the right place to continue his development.

 Kylian Mbappe has earned six France caps and scored his first international goal against Holland last week
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Kylian Mbappe has earned six France caps and scored his first international goal against Holland last weekCredit: AFP
 Mbappe believes he will get more football with PSG than at Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid
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Mbappe believes he will get more football with PSG than at Zinedine Zidane's Real MadridCredit: Reuters

Speaking to L’Equipe, he added: “No one's going to write into your contract that you're certain of playing here or there.

“But I felt that in Paris, I was more likely to than in Madrid.”

"It was important for me to stay in my country. To do six months and then leave like a thief in the night, that's not worthy of the greats.

“Great players win everywhere they go. In France, I didn't feel I had earned that respect that would make me a great player.”

 Kylian Mbappe joins £198m signing Neymar at the Parc des Princes as PSG form incredible front-line
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Kylian Mbappe joins £198m signing Neymar at the Parc des Princes as PSG form incredible front-lineCredit: AFP

The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.

Take a look at the most profitable transfers of ALL time.

And here are the Premier League players whose wages made them the most expensive per minute played.

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