Mbappe’s no renewal letter rattles PSG shatters Real Madrid transfer plan
His current deal is set to expire in June of 2024, but he retained an option to remain for an additional year if he so wished
When Kylian Mbappe announced at last month’s UNFP Awards ceremony that he would stay put at Paris Saint-Germain for next season, it seemed as if there would be no rumors and speculation this summer regarding his club future. A mere two weeks later, this has all changed.
There seems to be no end in sight with regards to the ongoing saga that is Kylian Mbappe's future.
Monday evening saw yet another twist arrive with L'Equipe exclusively reporting that the French forward had penned a letter to Paris Saint-Germain, informing them that he would not be signing a contract extension.
His current deal is set to expire in June of 2024, but he retained an option to remain for an additional year if he so wished.
In addition, L'Equipe produced an even more shocking revelation, suggesting that after being made aware of Mbappe's intention, the club are actively looking to sell him in the current transfer window.
The formal communication from the Bondy striker has not exactly caught the French club by surprise, although it does seem to have triggered an air of panic in Qatar.
In fact, the Qatari state-ownership was willing to make great efforts, once again, to retain the Frenchman beyond 2024, but his letter has not been well received, especially after the fiasco of last summer.
There is now a feeling that the club's state-funded board will move to sell the player whilst he still has value.
"PSG, surprised by their player's decision, want to show this time a firm position: this time, either Mbappe extends his contract this summer, or he will be sold before the close of the market," explained L'Equipe in their article.
Rather unusually in situations involving their players, PSG appear to have no appetite in keeping Mbappe until the end of his current agreement.
"He will not leave on a free transfer under any circumstances," were the words of a PSG source.
The nature of Mbappe's renewal in 2022 showed this was an uneasy marriage.
Agreeing a two-year deal with a player-held option for a further year highlighted the fact the forward had serious reservations about the club's progress.
As ever, Real Madrid are immediately back in the center of a saga, with Florentino Perez a known admirer of the French international.
Mbappe was by no means in their plans this transfer window, even as they evaluate who could replace Karim Benzema this summer. Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham are arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the latter slated to be their Galacticos signing of the summer.
While they were considering a move for him in 2024, when he would have been available on a free transfer, this news is something of a surprise to them. Their view is that before they look to move for Mbappe, they will need to know both Mbappe and PSG are willing to cooperate. It must be Mbappe who makes the deal happen, rather than Real Madrid pursuing him – they will not do so after being burnt last time.
While Real Madrid do have a vacant spot in the middle, but Mbappe generally starts on the inside left, a position currently occupied by Vinicius Junior. If Mbappe is to arrive, there will need to be some buy-in from Mbappe himself to faciliate a line-up that includes both the Brazilian and the Frenchman.
Despite the club’s vast wealth, UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules do not allow Qatar-backed PSG to make limitless financial losses and allowing Mbappe to leave on a free would rob them of a huge source of potential income. So when can Mbappe leave, and is he really going to do it this time?
