PSG won’t offer Kylian Mbappé new contract: how will that affect Real Madrid and other suitors?

Real Madrid - and indeed any other interested clubs - have been given a boost should they wish to sign Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappé, who will become a free agent on 30 June 2024. A reliable source close to the Ligue 1 champions has informed AS that the France captain will not be offered a new contract by his current employers.

PSG do expect France captain to activate 2025 extension

PSG do, however, expect the 24-year-old to activate the one-year extension clause pertaining to his current deal, which would see him stay in Paris until the summer of 2025. “It is impossible to pay him any more,” is the ‘off-the-record’ stance held by the club, who are in no particular rush to finalise the activation of the clause, although they are looking to get it done in the next few months.

Neymar departure key to Mbappé stay?

The French giants believe they will be able to convince Mbappé to sign on for one final year thanks to one significant change they made to their roster in the summer. The former Monaco star hadn’t felt completely comfortable in Paris in recent years as both he and Neymar wanted to play in the same position on the left side of the attack, with the Brazilian usually favoured because of his status at the club (from marketing and moneymaking perspectives).

But with the ex-Barcelona attacker having now moved on, club bosses will emphasise to Mbappé he now has the opportunity to play in his preferred position, which he would likely not have the opportunity to do were he to move to Madrid. There, he would have to fight it out with Vinícius Júnior for a spot on the left flank.

On top of that, the PSG source also claims Mbappé has put his difficult spell in the French capital behind him: “He seems really happy.”

When can Mbappé start negotiating with other clubs?

As has long been stated, Real Madrid are not planning on making any rash moves in the transfer window. In accordance with FIFA regulations, Los Blancos won’t consider approaching Mbappé until 1 January 2024, when the Frenchman will be free to speak to any potential suitors.

How much would Real Madrid pay the PSG star?

PSG’s decision not to offer their star man a new contract should work in Madrid’s favour, as they will likely not have to get involved in an auction with state-backed clubs who have much deeper pockets. Instead, they can sell their “project” to the forward and offer a higher salary than they would have been able to had they paid a big transfer fee. As reported in the Spanish media earlier this month, Los Merengues would be prepared to pay the France captain around €35 million (just over $38 million) per season after tax.

It should also be pointed out that Mbappé has a tendency to make up his mind late in the day. It happened at the age of 14 when he signed for Monaco, where he began working with current PSG Football Advisor Luis Campos, as well as when he first signed for the Parisians and extended his contract last year. So don’t expect a decision any time soon.

Mbappé's relationship with the club appears to be civil again following a well-documented dispute in the summer, when club president Nasser Al Khelaïfi took drastic measures to avoid losing his most prized asset for free.

PSG left the forward out of their pre-season tour of Asia in an attempt to force him into either prolonging his deal until 2025 or selling him for a huge transfer free. However, at no point were they planning to offer him a new contract altogether, a position which hasn’t changed. The coast is that bit clearer for Real Madrid or anyone else who enters the race to sign Mbappé.

Mbappé: too good for Real Madrid to turn down?

Do Los Blancos actually need the Frenchman? Vinícius looks to have the left-wing role locked down, they have a signed a new global star in the shape of Jude Bellingham, while Erling Haaland also appears to be on the table as an alternative should they prefer an out-and-out striker. The opportunity to sign Mbappé, however, may just prove too good to turn down.