Mbappe says never discussed extending stay with PSG

France’s forward Kylian Mbappe gestures before a training session ahead of the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament qualifying matches in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, on June 12, 2023. – France will play against Gibraltar on June 16, 2023 and against Greece on June 19, 2023 in their UEFA Euro 2024 Group B Qualification matches. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Kylian Mbappe’s future at Paris Saint-Germain was in serious doubt on Tuesday after the France superstar told AFP he had never discussed extending his contract with the club beyond next year.

Mbappe and his entourage spoke out the day after he sent a letter to the club confirming he would not take up an option to remain at the French champions until 2025.

That immediately raised the spectre of the 24-year-old forward, one of the most coveted players in world football, following Lionel Messi out of Parc des Princes this summer because if Qatar-owned PSG do not cash in by selling him now, he could leave for nothing at the end of next season.

In a statement to AFP, Mbappe said he had informed PSG “on July 15, 2022” of his decision not to activate an option to extend his contract, which ends after next season, for an extra year “and the only aim of the letter was to confirm what had already been spoken about previously”.

“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,” it continued.

“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