Eric Abidal has advised Kylian Mbappe to stay with Monaco and reject big-money offers from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG are reported to be close to signing the France star for €180million, following up their world-record €220m capture of Neymar from Barcelona.
Madrid too have been linked with the 18-year-old, who scored 26 goals for Monaco in his first full senior season, helping the principality club win Ligue 1 and reach the Champions League semi-finals.
But Abidal feels the precocious striker should not stop there, and says he should remain in Leonardo Jardim's first-team plans in order to secure a berth in France's World Cup squad next year.
"It's true that he made the last six months amazing with Monaco," Abidal told the BBC.
"He reached quickly a high level, but football is complicated. You have to confirm next season his level, play a big competition like the World Cup with the national team, if you have an opportunity.
"After that he will be able to move in a big club like Real Madrid because everyone says he likes Real Madrid and Real Madrid is a good one for him.
"But you have to confirm [the ability] first."
Abidal added: "Right now, Monaco is the best club for him.
"There is not too much pressure there from the fans, you have a good team and this guy is very quiet, only thinking of work, so for me it's a good club
"At a big club it's totally different, there is pressure every day, and even in one game if you don't score, it is hard."
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