Kylian Mbappe has told Paris St-Germain he won’t be renewing his contract beyond 2024, but does want to stay next season. This means that the French champions risk losing him on a free transfer for a fee of 180m euros (£165.7m) less than they paid for him in 2017. This has raised the question of whether they will try to cash in on him this summer. If they do, there will be no shortage of admirers, but only a limited number of clubs are likely to be able to afford him.
The prolific 24-year-old has scored 212 goals and contributed 98 assists in 260 games since joining PSG from Monaco, initially on loan, six years ago – winning five league titles among his 13 domestic trophies with the club. He also played a crucial role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph and his international record of 38 goals in 68 appearances places him fifth on his country’s all-time top scorers list – 15 behind record holder Olivier Giroud. In December, Mbappe scored the first hat-trick in a World Cup final since 1966 but a penalty shootout loss to Argentina denied him successive World Cup victories at the age of 23.
So, with the world seemingly at his feet, what do his options appear to be? Real Madrid looked destined to sign for Mbappe only last year, with the Spanish giants willing to pay 150m euros (£127m) as a signing-on fee and a wage of 40m euros (£34m). However, Mbappe chose to accept a lucrative new deal and remain at PSG, although he said the dream of playing for Real is “never over”. The departure of fellow Frenchman and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia means Real are in the market for a striker, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane thought to be at the top of their wish-list. Manchester United are another European giant chasing a talisman this summer – and among the few Premier League clubs with the financial capacity to fund a move. There remains uncertainty around the club’s future ownership, however, with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe waiting to see if either of their offers to buy the club will be accepted by the Glazer family.
Saudi Arabia is also an option for Mbappe, with four of the leading Saudi Arabian clubs recently taken over by the country’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns Newcastle United and LIV Golf. Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and former Real team-mate Benzema have both moved to the Saudi Pro League, with Ronaldo becoming the world’s highest-paid athlete. Chelsea may also be in the market for yet another statement signing as they look to bounce back from a disastrous season on the pitch in which they finished 12th in the English top flight.
Finally, Liverpool may also have an opportunity to sign Mbappe if they are able to avoid being drawn into a bidding war. The Reds were previously linked with Mbappe but Jurgen Klopp said the forward was out of his club’s price range. However, owner John Henry has said that he does expect some investment in the club as they aim to again compete with Premier League winners Manchester City. With PSG keen not to lose Mbappe without recuperating part of their outlay, could there yet be an opportunity for Liverpool?