Kylian Mbappe Says He Told PSG He Wanted to Leave in July; Comments on Contract Talks
Rob Goldberg@@TheRobGoldberg
Featured Columnist IVOctober 4, 2021
Kylian Mbappe told Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window that he wanted to move to another club.
"I said at the end of July I wanted to leave," the superstar told RMC Sport on Sunday (translated by ESPN).
Mbappe can leave the team for free next summer and is free to negotiate a contract with other teams in January, making the past transfer window the last chance for PSG to receive a transfer fee commensurate to the forward's talent without singing him to an extension.
Transfer negotiations went right up until the final day of the window, with Real Madrid offering €200 million ($233 million) for the forward August 31, but PSG turned down the bid, per Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez of ESPN.
The 22-year-old believes he did what he could to help his current club.
"I asked to leave because from the moment I didn't want to extend [my contract]. I wanted the club to receive a transfer fee to bring in a quality replacement," Mbappe said. "It's a club that's given me a lot. I've always been happy during the four years I've been here, and I still am. I said it early enough so that the club could react."
Though it could be a missed opportunity to bring in a significant fee, PSG will benefit from at least one more season of one of the best players in the world. Mbappe finished last season with 27 goals and seven assists in 31 Ligue 1 matches, and he has started 2021-22 with four goals and four assists in nine league appearances.
After adding other big names like Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos this summer, Paris Saint-Germain also might finally have what it takes to bring home the UEFA Champions League. The club reached the semifinals last year and the final in 2020, but it has yet to be crowned the European champion.
PSG might still hope to extend Mbappe as well, with Adam Crafton of The Athletic reporting in September that the team will continue trying to land a deal.
"What happens this season may affect Mbappe staying," teammate Ander Herrera said in September.
Based on the latest comments, however, it seems Mbappe is set on leaving.