Paris Saint-Germain have given up on re-signing Kylian Mbappe after learning the 23-year-old has an agreement with Real Madrid, sources told ESPN’s Julien Laurens.
Mbappe, whose contract with PSG expires June 30, reportedly agreed to terms with Madrid on Monday.
The Ligue 1 giants had held out hope they could still persuade him to extend his stay in Paris, but sources told Laurens that Mbappe was set on fulfilling his dream of playing for Madrid.
PSG believed as recently as last week Mbappe would sign an extension, according to Laurens. French outlet Le Parisien reported earlier in May that PSG offered the prolific forward a two-year deal worth around €50 million per season, along with a loyalty bonus of €100 million.
The club’s offer included promises to make Mbappe captain, Laurens reported Tuesday. PSG would also have allowed him to keep 100% of his image rights.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino seemed confident he’d coach Mbappe in Paris next season, saying in April that he was “100%” sure they’d remain together at the Parc des Princes.
But the player now seems set to join Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
Mbappe said Sunday he was “almost” ready to decide his future and that he’d make an announcement before France’s Nations League game against Denmark on June 3.
Mbappe has spent the past five seasons with PSG, notching 169 goals and 79 assists in 246 games for the club. He’s expected to make his final appearance Saturday at home to Metz.