Kylian Mbappe says staying at Paris Saint-Germain next season is his “only option” despite rejecting the chance to extend his contract.
The 24-year-old shocked the Parisian club this week when he passed up an option to renew his deal until 2025. His current contract expires next summer and PSG are adamant they will not let him leave for free.
A flurry of clubs are now watching the Mbappe situation play out with interest, after he handed PSG officials a letter explaining that he would not be taking up the extension clause.
On Thursday he explained that in no place did the letter include a request to let him join Real Madrid despite rumours Los Blancos were interested, just as they were in 2021 when they had a £154million bid rejected and last summer before he penned the two-year deal.
Speaking while on international duty, the France captain admitted: “I’ve said my goal was to continue at the club, to stay at PSG. It’s my only option at the moment.
“I’m ready to go back. Was I surprised by PSG’s anger? There isn’t much that shocks me anymore. The letter was sent before the [France national team’s] gathering. I didn’t think a letter killed anyone, or that I offended anyone. I just sent a letter.
“Afterwards, the reactions, we can’t control them... but I don’t care.”
Quizzed as to why he did not wish to extend his stay in Paris, the city of his birth, Mbappe replied: “I accept everything. People can talk, criticise, they can be confused, I understand.
“I’ve been like that; I’m young, I was lucky enough to watch football and there are a lot of things I didn’t understand. In life there are many things that we do not understand.”
French president Emmanuel Macron made it a mission of his long ago to try to convince Mbappe — France’s star player — to remain in his home country.
Mbappe said: “What influence can Emmanuel Macron’s words have? On my career, today in June 2023, none. He wants me to stay in Paris and my goal is to stay, so I think we’re on the same page.”
Only Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid are thought to have the funds currently available to sign Mbappe.
