Kylian Mbappe to leave PSG, informs Ligue 1 champions will not extend his contract - Reports

Kylian Mbappé (Source: Twitter)

Kylian Mbappe has stunned Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) by informing that he would not renew his contract and will leave the club when it expires next year. According to reports from French sports newspaper L'Equipe and other international media outlets, the French superstar has opted not to take up the option of a 12-month contract extension and has informed the Ligue 1 winners in a formal letter.

The 2018 World Cup winner could even be sold this summer as PSG look to avoid losing him for free. It was previously reported that the Qatar Sports Investments-owned club hoped to extend Mbappe's contract. However, the French club did not respond to a request for comment.

Prominent Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported the news on his Twitter account, "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. PSG position: NO plan to lose Kylian for free. Sign new deal now or he could be sold.

🚨 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.

PSG position: NO plan to lose Kylian for free.

Sign new deal now or he could be sold. pic.twitter.com/fDpSKOmxsf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, 2023

Mbappe's exit means PSG will lose another of its elite players, having already lost Lionel Messi on a free transfer after the Argentina icon left at the end of his two-year contract. Messi has joined Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, and now Mbappe is also free to negotiate and sign a pre-contract agreement with a new club.

Will Madrid step-up their interest in Mbappe

The Golden Boot winner of 2022 FIFA World Cup was in a similar situation last year when he was linked with a move to Real Madrid. But he decided to extend his contract with PSG. The Spanish giants may now increase their interest in Mbappe after losing veteran forward Karim Benzema when he signed a huge deal with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

The French striker has previously opened up about the idea of ​​joining Madrid and expressed his admiration for club president Florentino Perez. "I have lots of respect for (Perez) and for Real Madrid. They wanted to do a lot to make me happy. So I thank them for that. I'd also like to thank Real fans. I hope they'll understand the fact I've chosen to stay (at PSG)," the 24-year-old had said.