Just days after one of the greatest football players of all time and 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi announced his decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join David Beckham’s Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, French megastar Kylian Mbappé dropped a bomb that he will not be exercising his contract extension option with the newly-crowned French Ligue 1 champion. The breaking news soon escalated across the football world, particularly leaving everyone in the PSG management in shock and fury.
PSG: “Extend the Contract or Leave This Summer.”
After months of speculations, the 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner declined the chance to move to his dream club Real Madrid and signed a contract extension with the French football powerhouse last summer. This extension keeps him in the club until 30th June 2024, with a player option for extensions, in which the 24-year-old has eventually rejected. In other words, the 11-time Ligue 1 champion Paris Saint-Germain will be losing the France skipper for free when the contract is exhausted next summer.
In a leaked statement from Mbappé’s management team to the AFP news agency, it is highlighted that PSG is informed about the French star’s decision to not activate the player option since July last year; There were also no contract extensions being discussed over the course of the year, meaning the Frenchman has likely made his decision to leave the club for quite some time already. The announcement read “Kylian Mbappé and his entourage confirm that this matter has not been discussed since over the course of the year, except a fortnight ago to announce the sending of the letter. No potential contract extension has been mentioned”.
Despite apologies from Mbappé’s camp, PSG is understandingly upset with the Frenchman’s decision and the leaked information, as they have damaged the club’s image. Reports also said that the club is looking for options to sell the player at an optimised price tag and will do whatever it takes to not lose him for free next summer.
MENSONGES…❌
En même temps plus c’est gros plus ça passe. J’ai déjà dis que je vais continuer la saison prochaine au PSG où je suis très heureux. https://t.co/QTsoBQvZKU— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) June 13, 2023
Mbappé: “I’m Very Happy at PSG.” — Another Twist in the Transfer Saga
With his exit looking imminent, the Mbappé transfer saga took another turn, after the France national team captain was seen bashing the rumours that he will be joining Real Madrid this summer on Twitter. In his retweeted post, the 24-year-old called the rumours as “Lies” and emphasised that he is very happy in Paris Saint-Germain and is committed to be a part of the club next season. “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” was the response.
Los Blancos, Red Devils and the Blues Race Against Time to Sign Mbappé
Regardless when and will Mbappé leave Paris Saint-Germain, he will be actively pursued by football giants namely Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea. According to reports, Los Blancos remain the likeliest destination the French star will end up at, having showed immense interests over the last two summer transfer windows, but things might take another twist in this regard, especially after the club awarded Mbappé’s preferred no. 7 shirt to Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior in recent weeks.
Furthermore, Florentino Pérez will be challenged fiercely by Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea, who are desperate to improve their attacking game in the coming season. Red Devils, in particular, will be stepping up their transfer game, especially if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani completes his takeover at Old Trafford.
Where do you think Mbappé will head to next? Or should he change his mind again to extend the contract at Paris Saint-Germain? We would love to hear from you!
