Finally, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino breaks silence over Mbappe’s transfer to Chelsea

The Blues boss, Mauricio Pochettino has finally broken his silence on the speculation surrounding France captain Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Chelsea.

National Daily previously reported that the 24-year-old has been given permission to speak to the Al Hilal. This comes after the Saudi Pro League side were reported to have launched a world-record £259m bid to sign the striker.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino refused to be drawn on reports linking the west London club with unsettled Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe’s future at the Parc des Princes is in doubt after PSG gave him permission to speak to Al Hilal, who have launched a world-record £259m bid to sign the France international.

The French champions have put Mbappe up for sale and left him out of their squad for the pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea, sparking reports Chelsea could also be interested in signing the player, who Pochettino coached for a season in Paris in 2021-22.

However, Pochettino was tight-lipped when asked about the possibility of teaming up again with Mbappe at Stamford Bridge next season.

“In our past we were at PSG,” he said ahead of Chelsea’s friendly with Newcastle United on Thursday, live on Sky Sports.

“I need to be conscious, I cannot talk because everything that you talk is too much noise, it is a very delicate situation and it is a situation they need to fix in Paris with Kylian, Kylian with PSG.

“But from our side, nothing to say. We are working in our reality, their reality is different – and they for sure have another reality. And from my side, nothing to say – only to support them and hope they find the best solution for both sides.”