Kylian Mbappe has made his transfer feelings clear with a sly dig at Paris Saint-Germain after informing the club he will not extend his current contract that expires next summer. Last summer Mbappe signed a two-year deal - with an option for a further 12 months - but it was announced publicly as a straight three-year deal until 2025.
It was then the Frenchman's decision whether to trigger the optional extension by the end of June this year - something he has now revealed he does not intend to act on. With PSG keen to recoup some of the £154million they splashed on him when making his loan from Monaco permanent in 2018, it has now been reported that French champions are ready to sell him in order to prevent a free transfer exit next summer.
Reports in France stated that the 24-year-old had made his decision and wanted to join Real Madrid this year having been made aware of Karim Benzema's departure from the club. Replying to reports suggesting he intends to sign for Madrid, Mbappe tweeted: "LIES...At the same time, the bigger it is, the more it passes, I have already said that I will continue next season at PSG where I am very happy."
The PSG superstar has now continued to speak out on his decision not to extend his contract in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. Mbappe said: "I didn’t ask to leave PSG or to join Real Madrid.
"I just told the club that I won’t activate the option to extend the contract until June 2025. We never discussed new deal with PSG but I’m happy to stay here next season.
"At the highest levels, for a competitor like me, the goal is to win all the titles. We knew there were shortcomings that sooner or later we end up paying for."
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"We have to learn from the mistakes of each season, not to repeat them every time: these are not empty words. Individually, on the other hand, I have been maintaining high levels for some years: I want to continue progressing to always remain at the top."
The Frenchman hinted that he does not feel he can win everything he wants to achieve whilst staying at PSG and his contract decision comes just days after Lionel Messi left the club to join Inter Miami. When asked about the Argentina World Cup winner's departure, the 24-year-old replied: “He’s one of greatest players in the history of football.
"It's never good news when someone like Messi leaves. I don't quite understand why so many people were so relieved that he was gone - he didn't get the respect he deserved in France.
"The national team and the club are different situations. In France we are lucky enough to have an incredible talent pool, so when an important player quits, there are those who can compensate.
"This allowed us to put the final loss against Argentina behind us. We are disappointed, but we have a four-year cycle ahead of us.
"By working well we can do great things at the European Championship, the Nations League or the 2026 World Cup. There are other club problems in PSG, it's a completely different thing."
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