The Transfer Stalemate: Will Mbappé Stay or Go?
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Could the most recent Kylian Mbappé (24) transfer drama be reaching a deadlock? A situation is developing that was inconceivable a few weeks ago. The French captain may be much wanted by Paris Saint-Germain, but a bidder may not materialise.
Now it seems like a long time ago when there were joyful celebrations at Parc des Princes in May 2022. Mbappé chose to stay with PSG despite strong interest from Real Madrid, entering the pitch wearing a shirt bearing the inscription “Mbappé 2025.” Naturally, the shirt concealed the specifics of the agreement that the AS Monaco academy product had just signed.
🚨 Kylian Mbappé has informed PSG of his decision: he’ll NOT trigger the option to extend current contract until 2025, it means that deal would expire next June 2024 — as L’Équipé called.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, 2023
PSG position: NO plan to lose Kylian for free.
Sign new deal now or he could be sold. pic.twitter.com/fDpSKOmxsf
In actuality, Mbappé’s contract has a year-long option and goes through 2024. The Frenchman told the management of Les Parisiens earlier in June that he would not be invoking the option that would have kept him with the team until 2025. Nasser Al Khelaifi and the rest of the club management chose to sell Mbappé this summer rather than risk him going on a free in 2024 after being “frustrated” by the unexpected letter telling them of the choice, according to Foot Mercato.
Le Parisien claims that PSG is expecting Mbappé to respond to their questions about his future as soon as possible. The fact that he previously responded verbally and in writing, though, makes it evident that he did. After the completion of the upcoming season, he has no desire to continue working at PSG. However, he also has no desire to depart for the summer. K Mbappé has stated repeatedly that he wants to play for the Ligue 1 champions in 2019 at press conferences since then.
Mbappé’s preferences conflict with those of his present club. The possibility for violence stems from this disparity, but Real Madrid is also a factor. Their position has the potential to lead to a deadlock where Mbappé, despite the wishes of PSG, stays at his current club until next summer before moving on a free.
According to The Athletic, Los Blancos are prepared to wait a full year before bringing Mbappé to the team and don’t expect a deal to be completed this summer. In this transfer window, the La Liga team has already made significant investments, bringing England midfielder Jude Bellingham to the Bernabeu and also bringing in Joselu. The club is allegedly willing to rely on a ‘transition’ player in the number nine position, like Joselu, next season, thus the purchase of the Spanish striker is probably crucial.
Mbappé’s decision to stay at PSG is also driven by financial considerations. The Frenchman would receive a €130 million signing bonus from Real Madrid if he signed in the summer of 2024, in addition to a €70 million loyalty bonus should he stay past the summer. Mbappé would hypothetically lose €200 million if he moved before then because he would forfeit the loyalty bonus and signing bonus.
A nearly inconceivable deadlock has emerged in this situation. Mbappé wants to remain, PSG is compelled to sell, but Real Madrid is unwilling to make a purchase. Time will tell whether this deadlock is resolved or whether a free transfer materialises next summer, reportedly in accordance with the wishes of Real Madrid and Mbappé.
