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Kylian Mbappe releases statement regarding the PSG contract controversy.
According to Kylian Mbappe, the thought of staying with Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 has never been brought up.
Mbappe signed a lucrative contract with PSG in the summer of 2022 that has two guaranteed years and an option for a third. The French striker has said on Monday that he plans to leave the club in 2024, therefore he does not intend to use the option.
Mbappe now insists that has always been the case and that PSG was aware of his plan to leave in 2024 in a statement to AFP.
“The management of the club in charge of the extension [was informed] as of July 15, 2022, of the decision [not to continue beyond 2024],” Mbappe’s statement read. “The letter was only to confirm what had already been clarified orally beforehand.
“Kylian Mbappe and his entourage confirm that this matter has not been discussed since over the course of the year, except a fortnight ago to announce the sending of the letter. No potential contract extension has been mentioned
“After maintaining publicly in recent weeks that he would be a PSG player next season, Kylian Mbappe has not asked to leave this summer and has just confirmed to the club that he would not be activating the extra year.
“[Mbappe regrets] that the letter was circulated in the media and that these exchanges were made public with the sole aim of damaging their image and the discussions with the club.”
Mbappe had until July to confirm whether he intended to opt out of the remaining year of the deal; nonetheless, his letter has shocked many all over Europe. Both the club and the player have to agree to trigger the option for it to be legal.
Due to Real Madrid’s interest in a trade after losing Karim Benzema this summer, PSG may be compelled to sell Mbappe before he is allowed to leave for free in a year.
However, we are aware that Los Blancos are unwilling to overpay for the 24-year-old, who was set to join the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer in a year anyhow.
Mbappe’s letter moved the France striker closer to the exit at Parc des Princes, but that was before club president Florentino Perez was recently seen claiming he will sign the forward in the future.