Kylian Mbappe reportedly makes shocking PSG decision
It appears Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe is about to star in another transfer saga.
French outlet L'Equipe (h/t CBS Sports) and Tariq Panja of the New York Times reported Monday that Mbappe informed Paris Saint-Germain in a letter that he will not extend his stay with the Parisians past the 2023-24 season.
Paris Saint-Germain already know they will part ways with Lionel Messi this summer and could sell Neymar to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal before the upcoming campaign.
Mbappe was repeatedly linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid ahead of the 2022-23 season but surprised many when he elected to remain with Paris Saint-Germain in the spring of 2022.
According to Francesco Porzio of CBS Sports, Mbappe ultimately signed a new two-year deal that included a player option for a third season. In the previously mentioned letter, Mbappe reportedly told PSG he will not exercise that option.
Mbappe's latest career decision went public not long after it was learned that striker Karim Benzema was leaving Real Madrid for Saudi club Al-Ittihad. Benzema's departure could open the door for Mbappe to relocate to Madrid, but such a move could cost Real a small fortune.
Panja wrote that Paris Saint-Germain "could expect to fetch a price well in excess of $200M" for the 24-year-old World Cup winner, and football transfer insider Fabrizio Romano tweeted that the club doesn't intend to lose Mbappe on a free transfer next year:
Meanwhile, Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol said Monday that "there will be interest from (English) Premier League clubs" regarding Mbappe. Solhekol also acknowledged that Mbappe's "heart is set on Real Madrid."
Both Solhekol and Panja noted that Mbappe grew up a Real Madrid fan.
"PSG are very frustrated," Solhekol added. "... There was no need for (Mbappe) to send this letter at all. The deadline was July 31 — seven weeks away. If he had not sent a letter or said anything, it was an automatic non-renewal. So what is really strange as far as PSG are concerned is why he has even written this letter. All he needed to do was wait."
European football expert Andy Brassell said during a Monday appearance on sports radio station TalkSport that he thinks Paris Saint-Germain could hold onto Mbappe through next spring:
Paris Saint-Germain selling Mbappe to Real Madrid could allow PSG to pay the reported £100M to land Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane as a replacement.
Kane's contract expires after next season, and it's believed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy doesn't want to sell the three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner to an English club.
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