Mbappe transfer saga 'entering its final phase'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 1 Jan 2024 12:14 GMT
• 3 min read

The Kylian Mbappe transfer saga is entering its decisive moment, but PSG are in a surprisingly strong position.

With Mbappe's contract expiring in the summer, one would be forgiven to think that PSG would be panicking. After all, starting from tomorrow, the Frenchman can negotiate with clubs keen on his signature, chief among them, of course, Real Madrid.

Yet, the latest reports out of France claim that everything is calm in Paris. Why is that? Because even in the event of a free transfer departure of the star player - something that PSG had hitherto been desperate to avoid - it would not be a financial disaster for the club. It asserted that Mbappe agreed to waive his much-talked-about loyalty bonus at the start of the season shortly before returning from his exile.

It is, therefore, claimed that PSG will save as much as €100 million this season, which has put them somewhat more at ease regarding the potential exit of Mbappe. Moreover, so far, there has been absolutely no indication from him that he is keen to leave.

Mbappe to extend?

That does not mean that he will necessarily extend his contract, of course, but PSG are bullish about their chances of getting him to agree to a new deal. As has been echoed in Spanish media, for example by AS, this would likely end Mbappe's association with Real Madrid.

All three parties, the player, Los Blancos and PSG, are keen to avoid a repeat of 2022 and a situation like the current one. In other words, if Mbappe were to extend his contract, it wouldn't just be by two more years, as he did in 2022, it would be a long-term deal.

At that point, Real Madrid would give up their pursuit of the 25-year-old. Though their chances of landing Mbappe are far from dead and buried. On the contrary, dissenting voices in Paris believe that the player is not totally convinced by the current PSG project and doubts the club's ability to win the Champions League.

Ultimately, the ball is in the player's court and Mbappe has dutifully kept quiet about his future since the summer. This is now the final stage of the Mbappe saga because Real Madrid want him to make a decision on his future before the end of the January window.