Kylian Mbappe’s departure from PSG has been officially confirmed, with the star striker set to join Real Madrid.
Paris St-Germain’s star forward, Kylian Mbappe, has reportedly reached an agreement to join Real Madrid in the upcoming summer transfer window. The 25-year-old France captain has informed PSG of his intention to depart, as his contract with the club is set to expire in June.
While Mbappe has yet to formally sign with Real Madrid, the deal is expected to be finalized after the conclusion of this season’s Champions League, preventing any potential conflict between the two clubs in the current competition.
Kylian, who holds the record for the most goals scored by a PSG player with 244 goals, expressed his desire to resolve his future before March. In a meeting with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi on February 13th, Mbappe confirmed his decision to depart and join Real Madrid.
Following reports of his impending departure, Mbappe was excluded from the starting lineup in Saturday’s match against Nantes. However, he made a significant impact coming off the bench, scoring a penalty as PSG extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 by 14 points.
The proposed agreement entails Mbappe signing a five-year contract with Real Madrid, with an annual salary of 15 million euros (£12.8 million). Additionally, he is expected to receive a signing-on bonus of 150 million euros (£128 million) spread over five years, along with a portion of his image rights.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has already outlined his plans for integrating Mbappe into the team’s lineup, envisioning a role for the French forward on the left of center. This strategic adjustment could see England midfielder Jude Bellingham assuming a deeper position, while Brazilian Vinicius Jr occupies the left flank.
Should Croatia midfielder Luka Modric depart Real Madrid this summer, Mbappe is likely to inherit the coveted number 10 shirt, mirroring his role for the French national team.
As both PSG and Real Madrid navigate their Champions League campaigns, with PSG holding a 2-0 lead against Real Sociedad and Real Madrid leading RB Leipzig 1-0 after the first leg of their last-16 ties, Mbappe’s imminent move adds a significant subplot to their respective seasons.
Mbappe clinched the French title with Monaco before his notable move to PSG in 2017 as an 18-year-old, initially on loan before sealing a significant 180m euro transfer. With a remarkable record of 244 goals and 93 assists in 291 games, he played a pivotal role in PSG’s five Ligue 1 title victories.
Initially slated to depart PSG at the end of the 2021-22 season, Mbappe opted for a two-year contract extension, extendable for an additional year. However, he declined the added year, leading to his exclusion from PSG’s pre-season tour last July.
Despite a world-record £259m offer from Al-Hilal, Mbappe turned down discussions, later returning to first-team training after constructive talks with PSG. While he rejected a move to Real Madrid in May 2022, his imminent departure may involve a transfer fee or concessions on his part.
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon hailed Mbappe’s prowess, envisioning his synergy with the club’s young talents like Vinicius and Bellingham. With a standout performance, Kylian could etch his name in Real Madrid’s storied history, asserted Calderon.
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