Kylian Mbappe recently sent letter to PSG saying he would not extend his contract, with deal due to expire next summer; club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says forward "needs to sign a new deal" as club will not risk losing "best player in the world" for free
Thursday 6 July 2023 17:08, UK
Kylian Mbappe has been warned that Paris Saint-Germain will be forced to sell some of his team-mates if he tries to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.
Mbappe sent a letter to PSG last month stating he had no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2024, meaning he could leave for free next summer - a situation club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is desperate to avoid.
The France striker later clarified he had not asked the club to allow him to move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who have tried and failed to land the World Cup winner in the past.
He has been given a deadline of July 31 to commit to staying at PSG until at least the summer of 2025, otherwise he will be sold to the highest bidder next month.
PSG privately accept that they cannot force Mbappe to sign an extension and they also cannot force him to leave against his wishes this summer.
Mbappe's contract runs out next summer but PSG had been expecting him to exercise the option to extend it by 12 months until the end of the 2045/25 season.
Mbappe told PSG last month that he will not extend his contract beyond next summer and that would pave the way for him to join Real Madrid on a free transfer next July.
That is totally unacceptable as far as PSG are concerned and it has been made clear to the player and his representatives that he has to commit to an extra year or leave next month.
"My position is very clear. I don't want to repeat it every time: if Kylian wants to stay, we want him to stay. But he needs to sign a new contract," Al-Khelaifi told reporters on Wednesday after unveiling Luis Enrique as the club's new manager.
"We don't want to lose the best player in the world for free. We can't do that. This is a French club.
"He said he would never leave for free. If he changes his mind today, it's not my fault. We don't want to lose the best player in the world for free, that's very clear."
There is a sense at PSG that Mbappe's behaviour is paralysing the club and he has been told: "If you want to go, go now".
PSG would be happy to sell Mbappe to Real Madrid next summer if he commits to staying until 2025. They believe that would suit all parties as they would get a big fee, Real Madrid would get the best player in the world and Mbappe would get his dream move.
The financial hit to PSG if Mbappe tries to leave for nothing next summer will be so large that they will have to sell key players.
Mbappe is being urged by the club to do the right thing and honour the fact that he has always said he would not leave for nothing.
He has finished as Ligue 1's top scorer in the last five seasons and PSG will be eager to keep him having already lost Lionel Messi on a free transfer.
Messi, a seven-times Ballon d'Or winner, opted not to renew his contract for a move to Inter Miami.
Mbappe also said French President Emmanuel Macron had no influence on his career choices after the leader said he would push for the forward to stay in the country's capital.
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
"The PSG president has been very clear, he said the club want Kylian Mbappe to stay but he has to sign a new contract. If he doesn't, they will be forced to sell him.
"Mbappe's contract runs out next summer and there is the option to extend by another year, which the player has turned down.
"PSG are saying they cannot afford to lose the best player in the world for nothing next summer. They know he wants to go to Real Madrid - he's looking to run down his contract and leave for Madrid on a free transfer, meaning PSG would get nothing.
"Mbappe himself would get a signing bonus, even bigger wages, and probably a loyalty bonus from PSG. As far as Al-Khelaifi is concerned, that cannot happen. We've got a battle of wills.
"Is this just a negotiating tactic from Mbappe and his camp, and he will stay?
"Or are Real Madrid being discreetly clever by saying they aren't going to make any more signings in this window, and come in for Mbappe at the end of the summer?"
Paris Saint-Germain have announced the appointment of Luis Enrique as the club's new head coach.
The French champions have handed the Spaniard a two-year deal to take over at Parc des Princes following the sacking of Christophe Galtier, whose exit was confirmed on Wednesday morning.
Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "I'm delighted to be joining Paris in order to enjoy a new experience.
"It's so exciting to meet new people, to live in this city, to learn a new language and, above all, to manage PSG."
