The Kylian Mbappe case: A history of mix-ups with Real Madrid

The signing of Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid began in 2017. At the time, the young Monaco talent was leaving for PSG on loan with an option to buy worth 180 million euros. He first turned down Los Blancos with the intention of succeeding in Paris before making the permanent move. Almost six years later, he is very close to ending his time at the Parc des Princes. 

The second chapter

The second situation in this story comes four years after his arrival at PSG, in 2021. Mbappé had one year left on his contract, and from Madrid came the siren calls. Florentino put 160 million euros on the table, which ended up being 200 million euros. They did not even consider listening to the offer. Second refusal from the Frenchman. 

Mbappé remained at PSG, aware that his contract had a deadline: the summer of 2022. From Madrid, despite the second refusal, they once again had their hopes of signing their long-awaited 'Galactico'. The Frenchman rejects all the renewal offers that come from the club, and at the Bernabeu his arrival is a done deal. 

Kylian's third 'no'

A few weeks later, everything starts to go wrong and doubts appear again. In France, there was a national movement never seen before for the continuity of a footballer. Qatar, Macron, Paris and all those involved with PSG all went out of their way to convince the player to renew his contract. And against all odds, they succeeded. The figures are crazy: 83 million euros a year for three seasons and a bonus of 125 million euros if he renews. 

Mbappé renews with PSG until 2024 with the option to extend his contract for another season. Madrid, who had already been courting his signature, have once again come up against the Frenchman's refusal. The third since his arrival in Paris. 

Mbappé renews his contract with PSG

Mbappé says he's staying, and in doing so dashes the hopes of many Madrid fans who had already had illusions about the arrival of a player who was destined to take over from Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Not comfortable in Paris

It all seemed to be a done deal, but no. The 'Mbappé case' has never been completely closed. The season has not even ended when information began to leak out that he is not happy in Paris and that certain promises made to him by the club have not been fulfilled. Messi arrived but Pochettino was sacked after Tuchel, and the arrival of Galtier didn't change the mood either. 

The instability at the club is not helping to convince Mbappé, who has denied rumours of his departure and says he wants to stay at PSG. However, the mood in Paris is starting to heat up with the constant back and forth about his future, and the idea of selling him in the summer is starting to gain momentum. 

The letter

And then comes the definitive "boom". The letter. In July 2022, Kylian Mbappé informs PSG in writing that he will not renew his contract and that he will not remain at the club beyond 2024. With this message, the Frenchman makes a definitive statement about his intention to leave Paris and look for a new destination next summer as a free agent. 

Al-Khelaïfi, however, has a very different idea. PSG are unwilling to let him leave for free and are giving him an ultimatum: either he renews his contract this summer or he leaves on a transfer. And they have already set his starting price: 200 million euros. Real Madrid again move for the 'yes' after three doors slammed, and presents 200 million euros fixed plus five in variables. Up to here. The Parisian club has the last word. 

Luis Enrique, the last hope?

In the middle of all this mess, PSG are working on the arrival of a replacement after Galtier's departure. Luis Enrique is the definite candidate and his arrival seems a matter of time, and from Paris they are confident that Mbappé will change his mind and decide to renew thanks to the movement in the dugouts. 

Luis Enrique has been told by the Parisian club that the Frenchman will continue next season unless a very important offer arrives for him, so in principle he enters the sporting planning along with other 'cracks' whose future is in doubt as Neymar JR. 

The ball is now in PSG's court, as it seems that Mbappé is not going to deviate from his latest decision. Is it the end? We shall see...