Kylian Mbappe Announces PSG Exit, Likely to Join Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe has confirmed he will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.

The Frenchman, who is out of contract this summer, is expected to join Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old officially announced his PSG exit on Friday evening after it was revealed in February he would be leaving the French champions.

In a video released on social media, the France World Cup winner said: “I wanted to speak to you. I’ve always said that I would speak with you when the time comes, and so I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks.

“I will play my last game at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. It’s a lot of emotion; many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club – one of the best in the world – which allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure; to grow as a player of course, by being alongside some of the best in history – some of the greatest champions; to meet a lot of people, to grow as a man as well, with all the glory and the mistakes I’ve made.”

In his announcement video, Mbappe hinted at a move to Real Madrid after the France international revealed he will “leave his country” for the next step of his career.

He said: “It’s hard, and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that, to leave my country, France, Ligue 1, a championship I have always known, but I think I needed this – a new challenge after seven years.”

PSG and Real Madrid still need to negotiate whether Mbappe will leave for a fee or sacrifice his own earnings. PSG have Mbappe’s word that he will never leave on a free transfer.

Real Madrid hold a long-term interest in the 25-year-old forward, who would have to take a pay cut to join the Spanish side, even though they are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in their history.

PSG turned down a €220m (£188m) offer for Mbappe from Real Madrid in August 2021. The forward then chose to sign a new three-year deal with PSG that expires this summer.

PSG had accepted a €300m (£256m) from Saudi club Al Hilal last summer, which Mbappe turned down.

Mbappe exit to free up £189m for PSG

It is understood Mbappe’s departure has freed up at least €220m (£189m) of gross cost to PSG, who are not surprised by his exit.

Mbappe produced the video solo and it puts PSG in difficult position because his deal with Real Madrid has not been announced yet.

There is, however, a relief he is going with the final page of the club’s Galactico era now finally closed.

The club did not believe his performance in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund was not that of someone worth a £189m hit.

When is Mbappe’s final PSG game?

Mbappe, who is PSG’s all-time leading scorer with 255 goals, will play his final home game at the Parc des Princes against Toulouse on Sunday in Ligue 1.

Luis Enrique’s side, who have already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title, then have two away league games at Nice on May 15 and Metz on May 19.

Mbappe’s final PSG game will be the French Cup final against Lyon in Lille on May 25, where he has the chance to claim a 12th major honour with the club before departing.

Source: Sky Sports