Paris Saint-Germain’s star, Kylian Mbappe, has dropped a bombshell on the football world by informing the club of his decision to part ways once his contract concludes at the end of the season, a source with close ties to the Ligue 1 champions revealed on Thursday.
The 25-year-old, who initially inked a contract extension until 2024 in 2022, opted not to activate a clause last summer that would have prolonged his stay at PSG. Speculation has been rife about Mbappe’s destination, with strong indications pointing towards negotiations already underway with Real Madrid.
Insiders have shared that the specifics of Mbappe’s departure are still in the negotiation phase, with an official statement expected from both the player and the club in the coming months.
While PSG declined to comment, sources suggest that the formal announcement of Mbappe’s departure is imminent, signaling the end of an era for the Parisian side.
The club, having lost Neymar and Lionel Messi in the previous year, now faces a period of uncertainty, prompting discussions at the highest levels about reshaping the team under Coach Luis Enrique.
Despite the impending loss of their star player, PSG has strategically softened the financial blow by reaching an agreement with Mbappe last summer. As part of this deal, the player will waive substantial bonuses, amounting to approximately €60 to €70 million.
Having been with PSG for seven seasons and emerging as the club’s all-time leading scorer with 274 goals, Mbappe’s likely move to Real Madrid fulfills a childhood dream. The Spanish giants, persistent in their pursuit, have attempted to sign him in 2019, 2021, and 2022, only to be rebuffed each time.
As PSG gears up for a significant transformation towards a more collective and youth-oriented approach, the departure of Mbappe signals the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Parisian club.
With Coach Luis Enrique expected to have a pivotal role in shaping a fresh and cohesive team, PSG aims to prioritize recruitment to fill the void left by Mbappe.
Despite his impending departure, Mbappe remains a prolific striker, recently contributing to a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the Champions League. With over 111 million followers on Instagram, the Frenchman’s departure will not only impact PSG on the field but also its international profile.
Mbappe, who addressed his future in early January, emphasized that no final decision had been made. As a free agent, the 2018 World Cup winner and 2022 World Cup top scorer is poised to negotiate a lucrative signing fee in addition to any potential salary increase.
If the anticipated move to Real Madrid materializes in July, Mbappe will join the ranks alongside talents like 20-year-old Jude Bellingham and Brazilian strikers Rodrygo and Vinicius, sparking discussions about the reshuffling of the squad.