Highlights:
- Kylian Mbappe refuses contract extension, plans to leave PSG next season as a free agent.
- PSG accepts £259m (300 million euro) offer from Al-Hilal for Mbappe, who may join Real Madrid later.
- PSG attempts to keep Mbappe with a 10-year, 1 billion euro contract offer, but he remains determined to leave.
Kylian Mbappe’s refusal to sign a 12-month contract extension, which would have allowed him to leave PSG as a free agent after the 2023–24 season, surprised the PSG management. Since his contract expires in 2024, the 24-year-old must consent to such an extension by July 1. In a letter yesterday, the 2018 FIFA World Cup champion announced his intention to leave as a free agent after next season.
Mbappe first came to PSG on loan from Monaco in 2017, and then a year later, he made the transfer permanent in a deal of 145 million euros plus 35 million euros in add-ons. At this point, Real Madrid is thought to be the Frenchman’s best option. It has been reported that the forward has come to a deal with the La Liga giants, who are the favourites to sign him. But PSG is making every effort to sell their star forward during the current transfer window because they don’t want him to leave for free.
A £259m (300 million euro) offer for Mbappe from the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal has reportedly been accepted by PSG. For one year, Mbappe could receive a whopping £604m (700 million euros) in salary if he accepts a transfer to the Saudi Pro League. Then, the following summer, he could join Real Madrid.
PSG has made every effort to persuade Mbappe to agree to a contract extension or new deal. The French team reportedly made the player an offer for a 10-year contract worth 1 billion euros. The forward was also informed by the club that he should depart during the current summer transfer window if he doesn’t accept the new contract.
The fact that the Frenchman is under contract with PSG for about 150 million euros in wages and bonus payments over the course of the next year, which he doesn’t want to miss out on, is another factor in his decision to leave after next season.
The PSG captain Marquinhos has also spoken out about the continuing transfer drama in the meanwhile. “It is a delicate question,” he said in a statement to goal.com. Kylian is an exceptional player, very strong but the decision goes beyond us and it is with management that we have to see it. We always want to evolve with the right players. I hope that a good solution will be found so that he comes back to the group and helps us this season.”
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