Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappé won’t extend PSG contract but willing to give up money to play

Another twist in the tale of the Kylian Mbappé transfer saga. On Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain revealed their confidence that the Real Madrid target would extend his contract to 2025 after a meeting held between the player’s camp and club president Nasser Al Khelaïfi. Reports in France claimed the player and PSG had agreed to negotiate and that an agreement could be struck in the coming days.

Mbappé-PSG meeting “not related to contract extension”

That optimism is in stark contrast, however, with the latest claims by L’Équipe, who say the weekend meeting was not related to a contract extension. So, what was it about?

The French newspaper says Mbappé still has no intention of prolonging his deal beyond next summer but would be willing to give up some money he is due from the club to be able to get back out on the field. L’Équipe have called it a “personal sacrifice” thought to be in the region of between €100 million and €150 million.

Frozen out France captain wants to play at all costs

The 24-year-old had been banished to the stands by the Ligue 1 champions until he extended his contract, or be transferred away from Paris. An extraordinary move which saw PSG choose to deprive themselves of the services of one of the best players in world soccer.

However, Mbappé unsurprisingly wanted to play at all costs and set up the meeting with Al Khelaïfi. By Sunday, he was no longer an outcast and would be considered for first-team selection.

Real Madrid watching Mbappé contract saga with interest

The ultimate game of transfer poker, with Real Madrid watching on, popcorn in hand, has, of course, been one of the stories of the summer. After Mbappé had informed PSG of his intention to leave the club for free at the end of his current contract in June 2024, Le Parisien claimed the attacker had his heart set on a transfer to the LaLiga giants, which the player himself denied almost immediately on social media.

The French side played every trick in the book in an attempt to get their star player to change his mind but have realised that their best move, for now, is to welcome him back into the first-team fold. Mbappé and his camp have largely remained in the background throughout, occasionally insisting that his stance had at no point changed.

PSG won’t give up on Mbappé extension

As was the case last year, PSG are expected to keep trying to convince the France captain to extend his deal to the summer of 2025. The nature of the talks held on Saturday have increased optimism from within the club, although they are aware there is still a long way to go. The Mbappé soap opera still has a few episodes remaining.