PSG defender says his team 'want Kylian Mbappe to stay', lauding the French superstar as a 'genius'

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has stressed the importance of Kylian Mbappe to his side's ambitions, admitting his team-mates 'want the French superstar to stay,' despite much uncertainty over his future.

It comes as the 24-year-old superstar's contract is set to expire next year, with Mail Sport reporting earlier this week that Real Madrid were considering a sensational swoop for the World Cup winner.

Mbappe reportedly has a clause in his contract that will allow him to extend his tenure at the club for another year, but informed the French Champions despite wishing to see out the remainder of his contract, he would not be renewing his deal beyond 2024.

Mbappe has subsequently dismissed reports that he was keen to leave the club as 'lies', but tensions have been rising between both parties, with PSG feeling betrayed by Mbappe after he announced he would leave next year.

The forward, meanwhile, took aim at the club pointing to their 'shortcomings' and the departure of Lionel Messi as reasons for his desire to leave.

He has since reaffirmed that he wants to see out the remainder of his contract, admitting his current 'objective is to stay at PSG' while also saying he didn't think his letter 'offended anyone'.

Considering his ability, it's no wonder why the Parisians want to hang on to him and some of his team-mates have spoken out on their desire for him to stay also.

Speaking on how important Mbappe is to PSG's aspirations, Brazilian centre-back Marquinhos has lauded the French superstar, and claimed his 'team-mates want him to stay.'

'If he wants to stay, we want him to stay too,' the 29-year-old said to RMC Sport.

'He's a genius, a pure talent, a leader for PSG and he's very important to us. Every summer we talk a lot about him, but he's a PSG player and he wants to stay. We'll see what happens. We players want him to stay.

'It is very important that he stays because we have ambitions. I see him happy. His stats, his goals, his performances on the pitch prove it. He's a player who does a lot of things at PSG and who's important to who the team is.'

The France forward joined PSG initially on loan from Monaco in the summer of 2017 before securing a permanent deal with the club the following year in a whopping £166million transfer.

Real Madrid have long been eager to sign the winger, and had a £154m bid for him rejected a couple of years ago, before Mbappe stunned the Spanish giants, re-signing with PSG on a new three-year deal in 2022.

During his time at the club he's scored 212 goals in 260 matches across all competitions, an outstanding return to say the least, which is complemented by an impressive 98 assists.

This season alone he's been in superb form, scoring 41 goals in 43 games across all competitions, and there's no wonder why the Parisians want to keep him.

French media reported earlier this week that President Emmanuel Macron had pushed for Mbappe to stay at the club, but the forward has dismissed claims that the politician has 'no influence on his career.'

Mbappe is currently on international duty with France, as they take on Gibraltar and Greece this weekend as they bid to qualify for Euro 2024.