Kylian Mbappe, the renowned French footballer, has reportedly submitted an official letter to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) stating that he does not intend to renew his contract in 2024, as per L’Equipe. Consequently, the Qatari-backed team has informed the 24-year-old player that he must agree to new terms or face being sold this summer. This development could peak the interest of potential suitors like Real Madrid who were close to signing him last year and Manchester United if they reach an agreement for Qatari Ownership.
In 2022, Mbappe took center stage in the largest transfer market saga when his five-year PSG deal, signed in 2017 upon joining from Monaco, was nearing its end. Although he seemed poised to join the Bernabeu, last-minute interventions from the Qatari state and French president Emmanuel Macron led to a dramatic change, and Mbappe renewed his contract with PSG. This lucrative renewal placed him at the top of Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players last year and third in the most recent edition of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes, with on-field earnings of $100 million.
However, just over a year after celebrating his contract renewal at Parc des Princes alongside PSG’s chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Mbappe might be considering a move elsewhere. His current contract runs until 2024, with an option to extend for another year. Instead of waiting until next season, Mbappe has informed PSG that he will not renew his contract. In response, PSG has asked him to either extend his agreement or prepare to be sold before the summer transfer window closes.
This tough stance by PSG significantly differs from their approach during the last contract expiration. In August 2021, with about ten months left on his contract, PSG rejected a €160 million ($172 million) offer from Madrid for Mbappe, according to multiple sources. They then secured him for another two terms the following spring.
It remains uncertain whether Real Madrid will pursue Mbappe again or if their president, Florentino Perez, still harbors resentment over being snubbed by the player in 2017 and 2022. On the other hand, FC Barcelona, though less strongly linked to Mbappe, would have to wait for him to become a free agent before considering whether they could afford his salary amidst their well-documented financial difficulties.
