France, Feb. 17 -- There's a scene in the film Life of Brian where the firebrand at a clandestine meeting of revolutionaries attempts to foment anti-Roman hatred.

But after his fellow revolutionaries offer up a plethora of the bounties from the imperialists, the subdued subversive adds:"Well, apart from the sanitation, medicines, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?"

The vignette might furnish disgruntled Paris Saint-Germain supporters with a modicum of comfort as they digest the news that their star forward Kylian Mbappe will leave at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old has not revealed his next destination but it is widely assumed that he...