Paris St-Germain (PSG) is prepared to offload Kylian Mbappe this summer instead of risking losing him on a free transfer next year, as the French forward has informed the club that he will not be renewing his contract.
Mbappe's current deal is set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, with an option for an additional year.
Mbappe was given a deadline of 31 July to communicate his decision on renewing until 2025. After months of negotiations, the 24-year-old sent a letter to PSG stating his intention not to extend his contract. While this move could be seen as a negotiating tactic, PSG is determined not to let Mbappe depart without receiving a transfer fee.
The club is displeased that the letter was leaked to the media before they had the opportunity to review it, as they are in the process of reevaluating their team-building strategy after years of acquiring star players without a clear coherent plan.
Unless PSG receives assurances regarding Mbappe's future intentions, they are willing to sell him, which would undoubtedly attract the attention of Europe's top clubs.
Real Madrid has long been admirers of the Frenchman, and Mbappe rejected a move to the Bernabeu last year in favor of staying at PSG. The recent departure of Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia has left Real Madrid in need of a striker, although Tottenham's Harry Kane was initially believed to be their primary target.
Since joining PSG in 2017, initially on loan from Monaco before a €180 million permanent move, Mbappe has amassed an impressive record of 212 goals in 260 games. He has also scored 38 goals in 68 appearances for the French national team, including a memorable hat-trick in last year's final in Qatar, where France fell to Argentina in a penalty shootout.
Mbappe has been Ligue 1's top scorer for the past five seasons and has secured five league titles during his six seasons at PSG. However, PSG's campaign in 2022-23 concluded with only the Ligue 1 title, as they once again fell short of winning the coveted Champions League, exiting the tournament in the last-16 stage against Bayern Munich.
Mbappe would be the second high-profile forward to depart the Parc des Princes this summer, following Lionel Messi's departure at the end of his two-year contract to join Major League Soccer's Inter Miami.
Additionally, there have been rumors linking Neymar, the third member of PSG's superstar frontline last season, with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
