Kylian Mbappe confirms decision to leave PSG
- Mbappe will leave PSG in the summer as he approaches the end of his contract
- French forward had pledged to inform president Nasser Al-Khelaifi once decision was made
- Long-term admirers Real Madrid leading the race for his signature
By Tom Gott
Kylian Mbappe has informed Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he plans to leave the club this summer.
Having entered the final 12 months of his deal, Mbappe had promised Al-Khelaifi that he would inform him personally once a decision has been reached.
90min understands that confirmation has now arrived, with Mbappe making it clear he will leave the club this summer, but the terms of his departure from the French capital are yet to be finalised.
PSG have not commented publicly and are unlikely to do so until Mbappe's impending departure has been fully signed off.
Mbappe has not decided on his next club and, during his conversation with Al-Khelaifi, insisted he had not agreed terms with Real Madrid. The French forward is well aware of Madrid's offer - 90min understands their proposal is similar to the terms offered to him when he last approached free agency in 2022.
Should Mbappe leave on a free transfer, his exit will not leave PSG out of pocket as there has long been a legally binding agreement with the 25-year-old which protects his current employers. Mbappe agreed to return around €80m in the event he allowed his contract to expire.
His departure will save PSG close to €200m annually and will help accelerate their move away from superstar names, with club officials now keen to build a squad made up of young talents like 17-year-old midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery, 20-year-old Dutch international Xavi Simons, who is currently on loan with RB Leipzig, and 21-year-old winger Bradley Barcola.
Zaire-Emery and Simons are likely to be offered new long-term contracts as PSG transition to their new model, bringing the curtain down on an era that has seen the likes of Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos play for the club in search of Champions League glory.
While PSG did attempt to keep Mbappe and offered him a contract extension worth €70m annually, they have also been preparing for his departure by drawing up a list of potential replacements.
Among those on the radar are Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
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