PSG has issued an ultimatum to Kylian Mbappe amid tense negotiations. The latest developments indicate that both parties have resumed talks, but the French superstar remains adamant about leaving as a free transfer in the summer of 2024.
After a period of silence and uncertainty regarding Mbappe's future, the French media has finally shed light on the situation. According to L'Equipe, discussions have been reinitiated, but no significant progress has been made, and deep disagreements persist. Mbappe is determined to "break the game" by pursuing a departure as a free transfer after the 2023/24 season.
This would work in favor of the 24-year-old forward in securing a contract with a new club. However, PSG is clearly unwilling to let that happen. PSG argues that when Mbappe signed a contract extension in May 2022, he promised the French capital club that he would not leave as a free transfer to ensure a certain financial return and prevent a total loss for the club.
As a result, PSG has given Mbappe the option to choose to extend his contract for the final year of the existing 2+1 deal, instead of signing a three-year extension with loyalty bonuses each year. This means that the contract both parties signed last May will expire at the end of the 2023/24 season, with Mbappe having the choice to extend for one additional year. However, less than two months after signing, on July 15, 2022, Mbappe notified PSG in writing that he would not activate the one-year extension clause and insisted on leaving in the summer of 2024.
By early June 2023, Mbappe only officially notified PSG to comply with formalities, without changing his stance or "circling around the club." "Mbappe's team stated that the French superstar maintains his position of wanting to leave in the summer of 2024 and rejects any contract extension offers from PSG," according to L'Equipe.
Meanwhile, PSG emphasizes that "they are victims of the moves Mbappe is making, and the player wants to quickly terminate the already-signed contract and leave decisively." The French club questions how Mbappe can wear the 2025 jersey in May 2022 and then send a letter refusing to activate the one-year extension clause with a different reason just a short time later (in July of the same year).
Amid countless rumors and speculations from the media over the past month, Mbappe remains committed to staying at PSG until the end of the 2023/24 season. Whether he will be sold or not depends entirely on the decisions made by the owners of Parc des Princes.
"Mbappe doesn't affirm what can or cannot happen in the final year of the season or if he is ready to leave this summer if a suitable offer comes (implicitly referring to a move to Real Madrid)," L'Equipe further analyzes. The only thing Mbappe guarantees is that he will stay at PSG until the end of the 2023/24 season and has not engaged in any contract extension negotiations from late May 2022 until now.
Mbappe has adhered to his commitment of no contact or negotiations with any other clubs during this period, as promised to secure the "2+1 deal" with PSG instead of three years. Additionally, PSG has committed to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations by redirecting the salary and bonuses from the World Cup 2022 Golden Boot into the club's account. In return, they have planned to sell Mbappe to offset the costs.
Now, L'Equipe also reveals that Mbappe does not want to prolong the back-and-forth with PSG due to dissatisfaction with the club's empty promises regarding the sports project at Parc des Princes. If Mbappe were to leave, it would mean the official collapse of the sports project built around this 24-year-old superstar.
Mbappe emphasizes that this is the reason he wants to leave because "PSG should develop a successful sports project without having to rely solely on this player." Clearly, this development forces PSG to consider the financial implications, as the club may face complicated financial situations and even the risk of breaching financial regulations.
Therefore, PSG has set a deadline of July 31st for Mbappe to activate the extension clause. If he fails to do so, they will sell the French star this summer, which is the only choice for the club.
PSG's last hope is to wait for Mbappe's final response: He must decide whether he wants to leave or stay, so that PSG does not have to pay loyalty fees; otherwise, the club will sell him.
