In a shocking turn of events, Paris Saint-Germain’s star attacker, Kylian Mbappe, has reportedly made a bold decision to spend the entire 2023-24 season on the bench rather than seeking a move away from the Parc des Princes. Mbappe’s commitment to the club has raised eyebrows and sparked debates among football enthusiasts worldwide.
Last summer, the French international surprised many by rejecting a lucrative move to Real Madrid in favor of extending his contract with PSG, which is set to expire in less than a year. The deal included an option to extend until 2025, but Mbappe has sent a bombshell letter to the Ligue 1 champions, indicating that he will not be triggering that clause.
This revelation puts PSG in a precarious position, as they risk losing their prized asset on a free transfer next year. Consequently, the club is now actively working to sell Mbappe during the current transfer window to avoid such an unthinkable scenario.
????????️ Daniel Riolo: “Kylian Mbappé will be at PSG next season. Even if PSG decides to put him on the bench, he will stay at PSG.”
(Source: @AfterRMC ) pic.twitter.com/iNDblu1QlI
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 10, 2023
While PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has emphasized that Mbappe will not be allowed to leave for nothing, the 24-year-old has expressed his desire to honor the final year of his contract on more than one occasion. This has created a stalemate between the player and the club, as they navigate their way through this complex situation.
With a reported €200 million (£170.4 million) price tag hanging over his head, finding a buyer for Mbappe seems unlikely at this stage. Real Madrid, previously keen on signing him, are now expected to wait until 2024, aiming to secure the Frenchman’s services on a free transfer.
While Manchester United has been linked with a potential move, Mbappe’s preferred Premier League destination is said to be Arsenal, despite concerns over the club’s financial capabilities to meet his extravagant wage demands.
PSG ready to bench Kylian Mbappe if he stayshttps://t.co/vz1vRCfKhN
— Jaun News Usa (@jaunnewsusa) July 11, 2023
RMC journalist Daniel Riolo believes that, regardless of the circumstances, Mbappe will remain at PSG next season, even if the club decides to relegate him to the bench throughout the campaign. Riolo suggests that Mbappe has accepted this possibility and is prepared to endure it for the sake of loyalty.
The contractual impasse between Mbappe and PSG has been a subject of scrutiny since October last year when news broke of the player’s alleged regret over his contract renewal. It was reported that broken promises made by the club had left him feeling betrayed. Additionally, rumors of a strained relationship with Neymar emerged, although they were vehemently denied by then-manager Christophe Galtier.
Despite the off-field turmoil, Mbappe displayed remarkable resilience and continued to shine on the pitch. He concluded the 2022-23 season as PSG’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Edinson Cavani with an impressive tally of 41 goals and 10 assists from 43 appearances in all competitions. His individual success, however, was overshadowed by controversy as several players within the team complained about his divisive comments made during a recent interview.
