Breaking: Mbappe Set to Depart PSG for Real Madrid Next Season, Reports Say

Kylian Mbappe, the celebrated forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, has made it clear that he plans to depart from the club after the 2023-24 season concludes, coinciding with the end of his contract. This development has been widely reported as of Thursday (Feb 15), with Mbappe reportedly set to join Real Madrid, a club that has shown interest in him for the past three seasons. Despite a nearly completed transfer to Real Madrid in 2022, the deal fell through for various reasons. Now, as Mbappe’s current contract with PSG winds down, it seems increasingly likely that he will don the Real Madrid jersey next season.

The announcement of Mbappe’s intended departure has been confirmed by respected sports journalist Fabrizio Romano among others, stating that Mbappe has communicated his decision to PSG’s president Nasser Al Khelaifi, planning to exit as a free agent. This move represents a significant loss for PSG, which had previously seen the departure of stars like Lionel Messi and Neymar in the 2023 summer transfer window. PSG’s substantial investment of $200 million in Mbappe in 2017, following his initial loan move from Monaco, stands to suffer a substantial setback with his free agency exit.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid is viewed as the frontrunner for Mbappe’s signature, consistent with their ongoing pursuit since 2021 and a near-transfer in 2022 that ultimately did not materialize. Given Mbappe’s salary expectations, only a handful of clubs, including Manchester City, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich, might consider an investment of this magnitude, with Barcelona ruled out due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints.

Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid, a club with 14 European titles, as a free agent implies PSG will not receive a transfer fee due to the timing of his contract’s expiration. Additionally, Mbappe is likely to receive a significant signing-on bonus with his expected transfer.