Kylian Mbappe – Getty image Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé is now free to discuss pre-contract agreements with clubs as his contract enters final six months. The 25-year-old’s decision not to trigger a one-year extension in his contract, signed in May 2022, has put him in a position to negotiate a move away from PSG in the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite PSG’s efforts to keep Mbappé for the future, including omitting him from their pre-season tour in a bid to generate transfer interest, the Frenchman has remained steadfast in his decision not to renew his contract. Reports by Get Football France suggest that PSG accepted a world-record bid from Al-Hilal, but Mbappé declined the move.
Kylian Mbappe – Getty image Although Mbappé is now free to engage with other clubs for a potential free transfer, PSG remains optimistic about his future at the club. Sources say that Mbappé’s willingness to forego substantial loyalty bonuses and his positive relationship with the new management team have contributed to PSG’s hopes about a possible contract renewal. It is also said that Mbappé is contented with the recent changes at PSG, including significant changes in the squad and the club’s management structure.
Kylian Mbappe on captain duty for PSG. Source: Getty PSG had also previously told the player that he must either accept a new contract with a 10-year offer from the French club worth €1 billion (£864m/$1.1bn) on the table or be sold in this window. Al-Hilal has now been granted permission by PSG to speak to Mbappe after offering a whopping €300 million (circa $332.4 million) to sign him. PSG’s decision to accept the bid was likely to avoid losing Mbappe for free next year. Al-Hilal has already made notable signings, including Kalidou Koulibaly and Rúben Neves from English Premier League clubs. 
Al-Hilal playing in the Saudi league. Source: Getty If completed, the deal will surpass Neymar’s €200 million transfer from Barcelona to PSG as the most expensive in football history. The Saudi club’s offer would reportedly see Mbappe earn an astonishing €700 million annually. Mbappe who moved to PSG from Monaco in 2017 for €180 million, has maintained his status as one of the world’s top players. He rose to prominence with Monaco in 2015, helping the team win the Ligue 1 championship and earning recognition as the league’s best young player. With PSG, he secured four national titles and played a crucial role in France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup victory. At the moment, Mbappe who is PSG’s all-time top scorer with 212 goals in 260 appearances, remains the second most expensive player in history behind his PSG teammate Neymar. 
Kylian Mbappe on captain duty for PSG. Source: Getty The Athletic reports that PSG are planning life without him, adding: “The club say they asked the player to clarify his position by July 15th, however, after no communication from Mbappe or his camp this week, they have decided he is intent on leaving the club for free in the summer of 2024, for Real Madrid. “The club are now open to selling Mbappe and are willing to listen to offers for the forward. The club are also said to be willing to bench Mbappe this season if he does not finalise a move to another club this summer. 
Kylian Mbappe celebrating a goal. Source: Getty This means that come January 1, 2024, Mbappe will be free to negotiate personal terms with other clubs ahead of a free transfer in the summer of 2024. Speaking to AFP in June, he said; “I have NEVER discussed any contract renewal with PSG. The board has been informed since July 15th, 2022 of my decision not to extend beyond 2024 and the letter sent was only meant to confirm what I already told them.” While Real Madrid have long been considered the Frenchman’s most likely suitor and came close to signing him last year, it’s been gathered that Mbappe is demanding a staggering €240m-per-year contract to join any club this summer. The forward has also been linked with Liverpool, but it is unlikely that the Reds will be willing to match the Frenchman’s salary expectations. 
Griezmann celebrating a goal with Mbappe. Source: Getty The Tottenham goalie led his team to glory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and helped Les Blues reach the World Cup four years later as captain. Raphael Varane was expected to fill up the position, but he also retired from international competition as well at 29. After Mbappe was named as the French team’s skipper, It was not favorably received by many. Some French football experts and commentators have argued the decision showed a lack of respect for the Atletico Madrid striker. Catalan newspaper SPORT reported that Antoine Griezmann pondered quitting the French team over the decision, seeing his exclusion as a mistake. Three months later, 32-year-old Griezmann has finally broken his silence on 24-year-old Mbappe getting France’s captaincy. 
Antoine Griezmann during a training. Source: Getty Speaking to Telefoot, he said; “It was hard to take, and tough. I’m 32 and, although I still have the legs, I know I’m reaching the end [of my career]. I had a hard time stomaching it for one or two days.“ Still, Griezmann remains an instrumental player for Les Bleus in his newly-found central midfielder role. The 2018 Europa League winner with Atlético Madrid is expected to start against Greece on Monday at the Stade de France as part of their campaign to qualify for Euro 2024. Griezmann also committed his future to the Colchoneros, adding that he holds no ill-feeling towards his team-mate. He said; “I’m fully behind our captain Kylian. I won’t change anything, because that’s who I am.” The Atletico forward is set to return to the France starting XI for their next European Championship qualifier against Greece on Monday, June 19. Deschamps’ side are currently sitting top of Group B with maximum points from their first three games.