Kylian Mbappe takes aim at PSG for ‘shortcomings’ and the ‘bad news’ of Lionel Messi exit

Kylian Mbappe has launched another offensive against his club PSG, pointing to their ‘shortcomings’ and Lionel Messi’s departure as reasons for his decision not to extend his contract. 

The French superstar this week dropped the bombshell news that he has no intention of penning fresh terms beyond 2024. 

The development has put Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United and other top European sides on red alert, with PSG now backed into a corner. 

They are desperate not to lose him for free next summer so could look to cash in now, despite Mbappe’s declaration that he will stay another season. 

The player himself has spoken to Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport about the situation. 

Kylian Mbappe was pictured back in France’s national team training on Tuesday afternoon

The PSG forward laughed with head coach Didier Deschamps (left) during the session despite the storm swirling around his club future 

He said: ‘For a player like me, the goal is to win everything. And we knew that at PSG there were shortcomings that sooner or later we were going to end up paying for. 

‘I didn’t say I wanted to be sold to Real Madrid or want to leave, but only that I won’t activate the option on the extra year. 

‘With PSG, there has never been any talk of a renewal. Messi gone? Bad news now needs to be replaced.’

On Tuesday, Mbappe responded online to a report that he wanted to join Real, replying: ‘LIES. I have already said that I will continue at PSG where I am very happy.’

But it seems the 24-year-old in not content with the way the club is being run and lamented Messi, who is joining Inter Miami, leaving.  

He went on: ‘He’s one of greatest player in the history of football. It’s never good news when someone like Messi leaves.

‘I don’t quite understand why so many people were so relieved that he was gone. He didn’t get the respect he deserved in France.’

Despite Mbappe’s proclamation that he is happy and wants to stay for another year, the situation is clear, he will either extend his contract or be sold. 

Madrid are the club he dreamed of playing for as a child and remain the most realistic option.

Mbappe has revealed he will not stay at PSG beyond the end of his contract in 2024

Mbappe is central to PSG’s promotion with Lionel Messi gone and Neymar likely to leave

The cost of such a transfer plus Financial FairPlay restrictions mean Chelsea and Manchester United, though both admirers, declared a move to them as ‘very unlikely’ while Bayern Munich also ruled themselves out.

PSG have been eager to reconnect with a disenchanted fan base who say the club no longer has a French identity. Lionel Messi has departed and they had anticipated selling Neymar but the loss of France talisman Mbappe will be a blow to their ambitions.

His departure would bring Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford back into focus for the French champions. 

Mbappe appeared in high spirits on Tuesday as he trained with France in spite of the storm swirling around his future. 

Real Madrid remain the most likely destination for Mbappe this summer if he leaves 

But the drama of a transfer window is nothing new to him and Real will be wary of being stung again. 

Madrid are not going to make the first move. They are still stung by missing out on him twice in the last two years. 

But if Mbappe is given a magic number by PSG – the sum they will accept to lose him – then he will take that to Florentino Perez and if the fee is feasible for Real Madrid, bearing in mind that PSG are not likely to be open to being paid in installments, they get the player they thought they would have to wait another year for.

If the figure set is €200m (£171m) then for all that Madrid have vowed not to give PSG a single euro for their player it will be seriously considered.