Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe insists claims that he wants to join Real Madrid are all “lies” after reports emerged that he could leave this summer.
Reports on Monday evening said Mbappe had told PSG he will not take up a one-year contract extension, so could be sold this summer or will be able to leave as a free agent at the end of next season.
The 24-year-old, signed from Monaco for £160million in 2018 which was a world-record fee for a teenager, continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.
According to reports, France World Cup winner Mbappe left the PSG hierarchy stunned by the decision which was presented in a formal letter and follows on from Lionel Messi announcing his departure to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
PSG now appear set to have to weigh up whether to sell Mbappe – who scored a hat-trick in France’s defeat by Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final – or see him leave the club for nothing at the end of his current deal in June 2024.
Reports in France had suggested PSG were hopeful over an extension to Mbappe’s contract.
However, Real Madrid could now step up their interest as they look to bolster the forward line after veteran Karim Benzema’s move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
But, quoting a report in France saying he ‘wants to join Real this summer’, Mbappe has taken to Twitter to reject reports that he wants to leave this summer.
Mbappe wrote on Twitter: “LIES… At the same time, the bigger it is, the more it passes. I have already said that I will continue next season at PSG where I am very happy.”
The France international only denies the rumours surrounding a summer move with Mbappe’s statement to AFP over not extending his contract said: “PSG’s administrative council has been informed since 15th July 2022 of my decision not to extend beyond 2024 and the letter that was sent only served to confirm what I had already told them.”
A source told the Daily Record: “It is all just very tiring for everyone at the club. This is all so needless.”
In the 24 hours after the news broke about Mbappe being unwilling to renew his contract, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City were all linked with a huge deal for the France international.
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