The Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain chapter could come to an end this summer after six years. According to the sports newspaper “L’EquipeThe most valuable footballer in the world has informed his club in writing that he will not exercise his option for a one-year contract extension until 2025, which is valid until July 31. He had this incorporated into his working paper in May 2022, when he unexpectedly extended it to 2024. The letter, which was circulated in the club management at around 5 p.m. on Monday, caused great irritation.
Market value of Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé is said to earn 72 million euros gross – by far the highest salary of any footballer in Europe. He is followed by his teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi at a considerable distance. While Neymar is being linked with a move, Messi has already decided on a transfer to Inter Miami.
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As with Messi, who was suspended by the club for an undisclosed trip to Saudi Arabia, the Qatari club management did not want to give up the reins of action in the case of Mbappé either. “L’Équipe” writes: either the French top striker, who has carried the club on his shoulders this disappointing season, will be extended, or he will be sold this summer – a free transfer in 2024 is out of the question. In the evening, the PSG leadership is said to have demanded another answer, but nothing was prepared by Mbappé’s entourage.
A year ago: Kylian Mbappé wanted from PSG to Real Madrid
In 2022, the attacker’s free transfer to Real Madrid was a done deal before a cheerful Nasser Al-Khelaïfi celebrated the extension of his most valuable player’s contract on May 22. “Everyone knows that I wanted to go to Real Madrid last year and I think it was the right choice (…)” said Mbappé, looking back at 2021, whose plans failed because of his club’s veto. “But now it’s different because I was a free transfer.” Mbappé didn’t want to leave France for free, which would have been unavoidable with a transfer to the “Royal” in 2022. If there is a change this summer, it could again be a transfer fee of around 180 million euros. In 2021, Real is said to have offered a sum of this magnitude despite a remaining year of contract.
Performance data from Kylian Mbappé
This time, however, a different wind seems to be blowing in Paris and the signs are pointing to upheaval. PSG could start on the first day of the 2023/24 season without Messi, Neymar and Mbappé – the departure of coach Christophe Galtier is also considered certain after narrowly winning the championship without another title.
“I’m French and I know I’m important in my country and when you’re important you don’t just have to think about football but about your life. I will stay in France after my career,” said Mbappé a year ago, when even President Emmanuel Macron intervened to convince the star to stay. The football world will find out over the next ten weeks whether the signs are really pointing to farewell this time or whether Mbappé will reshuffle his cards in another contract game for even more influence. Real Madrid recently strengthened their squad with Jude Bellingham from BVB for up to 133.9 million euros.
“I can imagine their disappointment,” said Mbappé in 2022 about the “Royal” who went empty-handed and “I am aware of the opportunity and the privilege of being courted by such a big name”. In Madrid, a position becomes vacant in the storm after Karim Benzema’s departure towards Al-Ittihad Club and Real are looking for a replacement. Should it be Mbappé, the Spanish record champions would have five of the eleven most valuable footballers in the world under contract.
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