Kylian Mbappe is poised to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) following the conclusion of the current season, with reports strongly linking him to a move to the La Liga outfit, Real Madrid.
The Kylian Mbappe transfer saga appears to be nearing its conclusion, as the Frenchman has informed Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of his intention to leave when his contract expires this summer. Real Madrid is widely speculated to be his next destination, signaling the start of a new chapter for both Mbappe and PSG.
Last June, tensions arose between Mbappe and PSG when the World Cup winner announced his decision not to extend his contract, casting doubt on his future with the club for the 2023-24 season. However, an agreement was eventually reached between Mbappe and the PSG hierarchy, leading him to remain with the team for the current season.
Now, Mbappe has communicated his decision to depart PSG at the end of the season, with Real Madrid reportedly prepared to offer him a lucrative contract. The decision was undoubtedly a difficult one for Mbappe, considering his roots in Paris. Since joining PSG in 2017, he has established himself as a prolific goal-scorer, surpassing club legends such as Pedro Miguel Pauleta, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Edinson Cavani to become the club’s all-time leading scorer with 244 goals (as of February 21), despite being only 25 years old.
For PSG, Mbappe’s departure represents a significant loss, considering the substantial investment made to acquire him permanently in 2017. His exit also marks the end of their initial Galactico project, which aimed to assemble a star-studded roster including the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Beckham, Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Mbappe, yet failed to secure the coveted Champions League title.
Under the ownership of Nasser Al-Khelaifi since 2012, PSG has consistently pursued marquee signings each season. However, their quest for European glory has been met with disappointment, characterized by numerous exits in the knockout stages and a defeat in the 2020 Champions League final.
Recognizing Mbappe’s eventual departure due to the club’s lack of Champions League success, PSG began planning for the future last summer by making strategic signings of promising young talents such as Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, Lee Kang-in, and Manuel Ugarte. Additionally, experienced players like Ousmane Dembele and Lucas Hernandez were brought in to bolster the squad. With an expenditure of nearly 400 million Euros on transfers, PSG has also appointed Luis Enrique as the manager.
Looking ahead to next season, PSG is expected to rely heavily on its academy graduates, including standout performers like 17-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery, along with Ethan Mbappe, Ishamel Gharbi, and Sennu Mayulu, who are poised for increased playing time. The return of loanee Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, where he has been in impressive form, is anticipated to provide further strength to PSG’s lineup upon his return.