Mbappé tells PSG he is leaving as Madrid move nears - sources - ESPN

Kylian Mbappé has told Paris Saint-Germain he intends to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, sources told ESPN, paving the way for a move to Real Madrid.

ESPN reported on Feb. 3 that Mbappé decided to join Madrid this summer — finally ending the Spanish club's yearslong pursuit of the France international — although he had yet to inform either club of his decision.

— Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Sources at Madrid insist that the player has still not responded to the offer reported by ESPN weeks ago, although they hope Mbappé will reply soon, believing they have done all they can to convince him to join.

Mbappé, who grew up idolising Bernabéu legends Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo, has always wanted to play for Madrid and, according to a source, he feels it is the right time in his career to move to the Spanish capital.

Sources told ESPN that PSG had two scenarios prepared for their future plans — one that involved Mbappé staying at the club and one that didn't. With Mbappé verbalising his decision, the latter scenario is now coming to fruition.

Ahead of PSG's 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Champions League boss on Wednesday — during which Mbappé scored the opening goal — head Luis Enrique said on Tuesday that the forward was acting his usual self even amid his eventual exit.

«He [Mbappé] is as usual,» Luis Enrique said.

Mbappé has scored 31 goals in 30 games in all competitions this season.

Information from ESPN's Rodrigo Faez contributed to this report.