Report: PSG confident Mbappe will sign short-term deal

Paris Saint-Germain have hashed out a plan that could see Kylian Mbappe delay his seemingly inevitable departure.

With less than six months on his contract remaining, it's understood the Ligue 1 leaders have held positive discussions with Mbappe over a short-term deal, according to Julien Laurens of ESPN.

However, Real Madrid have been heavily linked to the French forward, reportedly submitting a €200-million offer last summer that was rejected by PSG.

Despite the pushback, Los Blancos president Florentino Perez intends to launch another pursuit this summer for Mbappe, who can be signed on a free transfer if he doesn't sign a new PSG contract.

But it appears Real Madrid may have to wait, as Laurens reports the 23-year-old is more open to the idea of staying in the French capital than ever after elevating his play and becoming a difference-maker in a squad bursting with world-class players.

PSG's reported interest in French icon Zinedine Zidane is another factor that could convince Mbappe to stay. PSG reportedly contacted the former Real Madrid manager - who is understood to be one of Mbappe's idols - about his availability in the event manager Mauricio Pochettino leaves at the end of the season.

Real Madrid will get a closer look at the coveted forward when they host PSG in the first leg of the round of 16 in the Champions League next month.