Kylian Mbappe has effectively confirmed his intention to leave PSG on a free transfer next summer, creating a stand-off with the club by insisting he wants to see out the one year left on his deal.
The French superstar had earlier put the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United on alert after a bombshell statement to AFP about his intention not to sign a new deal – and he is adamant he will stay in Paris this summer.
The 24-year-old moved to make his immediate plans clear, writing on Twitter in response to a post by La Parisien that claimed he wants to join Real.
He posted: ‘LIES… At the same time, the bigger it is, the more it passes. I have already said that I will continue next season at PSG where I am very happy.’
The move will heap pressure on PSG, who are determined not to lose their top asset for nothing and must face up to that prospect if they do not sell him this summer.
Mbappe earlier claimed Paris Saint-Germain have known for almost a year that he had no intention of extending his deal at the club.
The 24-year-old forward stunned the footballing world on Monday when he informed the club via a letter to say he did not want to exercise the extension clause which would see him contracted until June 2025.
It means Mbappe has just one more year left to run on his deal at Parc des Princes and the French champions are now at loggerheads with their best player and figurehead of the club.
In a bombshell statement to AFP, Mbappe insisted this is not news to those behind the scenes at PSG.
‘PSG has been informed since July 15, 2022, of my decision not to extend beyond 2024, and the letter that was sent only served to confirm what I had already told them,’ he said.
PSG had been willing to give him greater incentives to stay on a long-term deal with plans afoot to recruit more France internationals and create a closer identity with the club’s fan base.
However, his declaration leaves them little option but to contemplate a sale with his long-time suitors Real Madrid expected to be at the head of the queue.
According to The Times, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will register his interest in the World Cup winner this summer in the hope of luring him to Stamford Bridge.
Mail Sport understands that Manchester United are also considering a swoop for Mbappe this summer, but will only launch a bid once a full takeover at Old Trafford is confirmed.
The Qatari bid, which is currently in pole position, is rivalled only by British billionaire and lifelong Red Devils fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose offer would see the unpopular Glazer family remain at the club as minority shareholders.
PSG splashed out around £155million to sign Mbappe from Monaco in 2018 and may now be contemplating cashing in to make some form of return on their investment.
Real Madrid have held a long-standing interest in the France international and again appear to be the standout choice as they hunt for a new forward. Le Parisien claim that the Spanish capital club is his preferred landing spot.
Mbappe made a dramatic U-turn in 2021 after an approach from Real Madrid in 2021 and had been expected to join them when his contract expired a year later.
He opted to stay at PSG, though, and agreed the extension that takes him to 2024.
The New York Times claim that if PSG field offers for Mbappe, they may fetch a price in excess of £160m and potentially even over the current world record fee.
The prolific frontman scored 29 goals in 34 league appearances last season, securing his fifth Ligue 1 title during his stint at PSG and his sixth overall.
Extraordinarily, PSG may well lose Lionel Messi, Mbappe and Neymar all in the same summer. Messi will join Inter Miami after leaving on a free while Neymar could move to Saudi Arabia.
Share or comment on this article: Kylian Mbappe issues new bombshell statement on his PSG future.
