PSG confident of convincing Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappé to sign new contract

On Monday 1 January, Paris Saint-Germain will find themselves in the same position as two years ago, with Kylian Mbappé going into the last six months of his contract. This time, however, the Ligue 1 leaders haven’t been in a rush to sit around the table with the Real Madrid target, instead opting to bide their time before attempting to convince him to stay in Paris.

According to French newspaper L’Équipe, PSG haven’t given up hope of holding onto Mbappé, who has refused to discuss his future since the start of the season and has put talk of a potential contract extension on the back burner. What every party involved, including potential suitors, is desperate to avoid is a repeat of 2022, when there was constant speculation over whether the forward would, or wouldn’t, prolong his deal.

Why are PSG not concerned about losing Mbappé for free?

If Mbappé doesn’t ultimately agree an extension, PSG won’t lose out financially. On 12 August, during the match between the French champions and Lorient, which the France captain didn’t play in after he was frozen out at the start of the season, he and club president Nasser Al Khelaïfi held constructive talks about his future.

So delighted were the Parisians at how the meeting went, they even leaked to the press that Mbappé would sign a new deal. What was agreed between the player and the club, in any case, was that the 24-year-old would waive loyalty bonuses, estimated at around €100 million ($110.6 million), he was due by the club were he to leave for free in the summer of 2024. As a result, Paris Saint-Germain will not be out of pocket even if they don’t receive a transfer fee for their star player.

France captain free to decide own future amid Real Madrid interest

But Al Khelaïfi and the club’s Qatari owners are optimistic it won’t come to that, encouraged by Mbappé privately claiming to be happy in Paris. Although that may well not be a decisive factor, the relationship between the attacker and his president has improved significantly, helped by the club’s relaxed approach to a potential contract extension. Sources close to PSG assure the ball is very much in Mbappé court.

As it stands, no further meetings have been scheduled to negotiate a new deal, with some believing the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner has no intention of remaining at the club as he doesn’t believe the current “project” will lead to Champions League glory. If he does finally stay, however, he is expected to sign a new long-term contract and not just for two years, with the option of one more, as was the case in 2022.

Mbappé transfer saga to end in 2024

The Mbappé transfer saga, which has rumbled on unpredictably for five years, will end one way or another in 2024. The French star is in control of his own destiny and has dropped no hints as to what the future holds for him. PSG are confident they can convince him to stay but will resist temptation to get locked into a long-running battle, which would only add to speculation.