CONFIRMED: Kylian Mbappe to leave PSG as Real Madrid close in on blockbuster transfer

Suraj Radia

• 15 Feb 2024 10:49 CST
• 3 min read

Kylian Mbappe is gearing up for a blockbuster summer transfer to Real Madrid after informing Paris Saint-Germain of his intention to leave the French side at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has been in talks with Real over moving to the club once he has left PSG, having previously rejected the opportunity to do so two years ago.

Mbappe performed a last-minute u-turn in 2022 to extend his contract in Paris, having initially agreed to join Real, and all parties were determined to avoid a repeat of the last-minute drama this year, with the forward telling PSG he would communicate his decision this month.

While Mbappe’s move to Real is still being worked on, the French captain has told PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he will leave the club in the summer, although The Athletic claim that ‘terms are yet to be fully agreed’ despite his contract expiring in June.

Real are now expected to push heavily to sign Mbappe, with the process so far having been delayed by the PSG star reportedly being unconvinced by the offer currently on the table from the Spanish side.

Mbappe’s contract with PSG still has an option to extend for another 12 months but only the player could trigger the decision, something which he declined to do prior to the deadline of July last year.

PSG set to rebuild as Real seek Mbappe fit in Madrid

Although PSG will miss out on a fee for Mbappe, the club will save a reported €200 million a year from his lucrative contract and the Ligue 1 giants will now look to focus on youth recruitment to rebuild.

While it is theoretically possible that Mbappe could extend his deal at PSG to allow the club to receive a fee from Real, the ex-Monaco man is not willing to risk missing out on his dream transfer once again.

For Real, the arrival would cause question marks over Mbappe’s fit, with the Frenchman preferring to play on the left wing instead of up front – a position currently occupied by Vinicius Junior.

Although Vini Jr has said he would love to play with Mbappe in Madrid, there have been reports in Spain that Real could look to cash in on the Brazilian, although such a move would be unlikely to happen this summer.