Paris Saint-Germain are ready to play hardball with Kylian Mbappe in an effort to clear up his future with the club.
Mbappe shocked PSG in June by sending a letter to the club to inform them he will not trigger a one-year extension in his contract. His declaration effectively gave his employers notice that he intended to leave on a free transfer in June 2024.
As Mirror Football reported at the time PSG’s priority is to ensure he does not leave without a transfer fee, meaning they are prepared to cash in on the superstar this summer. Real Madrid have tried to buy Mbappe previously and would be the most likely suitors were PSG to sell.
The high stakes game of poker has taken a turn, with the Parisian club making the first move. L'Equipe reports that PSG have given Mbappe until the end of July to extend his contract, or they will put him up for sale.
The summer transfer window runs until September 1, leaving plenty of time for Mbappe’s exit from PSG to be confirmed. Real Madrid have signed Joselu as a cost-effective replacement for Karim Benzema, who left Real to take up a bumper contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, and club president Florentino Perez has insisted they are not targeting more additions.
Financial Fair Play rules and LaLiga’s clampdown on Barcelona ’s reckless spending means a deal for Mbappe would not be simple for Real to complete. The Spanish giants offered €200m (£171.7m) for the French striker on deadline day in September 2021, but a similar offer would now appear unlikely.
Speaking in June, after his letter to PSG was leaked to the press, Mbappe insisted he remains committed to the club. “I’ve already spoken about this, I’ve said that my objective is to stay at PSG, it’s my only option right now, I’m ready to come back for pre-season.
"Why go to the end of my contract? There is nothing to explain, people can talk," he said at a press conference before a Euro 2024 qualifier with France.
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"They don't have all the ins and outs, too bad for them, I know why I'm doing this, there's no no problem with that. Did I hesitate to come [to the press conference]? Not at all, I have a responsibility, it's not a few outside noises that will scare me away from my responsibility.
"It was important to be here today. I've been used to it since I was young. I'm thinking about tomorrow's game. That's my only concern. What happens outside is secondary, I've always managed to do both. I want to show tomorrow that I'm a great player."
Lionel Messi has already left PSG for Inter Miami, while there remains speculation around Neymar’s future with the club.
