The Kylian Mbappe transfer saga took another dramatic twist on Wednesday after Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo confirmed that the French star wants to leave the club. He also confirmed that the Parisian giants had recently turned down an offer from Real Madrid for the 2018 World Cup hero.
Leonardo made the stunning revelation in an interview with French outlet RMC, saying, "Kylian Mbappe wants to leave, that seems clear." He added that if Mbappe wants to leave, they will not keep him, but it will be done under the conditions set by PSG.
Real Madrid forcing the issue with massive Mbappe bid
PSG is in a bind regarding Mbappe as he has just a year remaining on his contract. He has already refused multiple offers from the club for a contract renewal, which means there is a huge possibility that they will lose him on a free transfer in June 2022 once his current deal expires.
Leonardo was adamant that would not happen, telling RMC that they have spoken a lot with Mbappe, and he always tells us the same thing "that he would never leave the club on a free transfer."
With all the Mbappe rumblings coming out of Paris, Real Madrid has taken notice and decided to pounce just days before the transfer window closes. The La Liga giants have tested the waters, with multiple sources saying they have launched a massive $188 million offer to acquire Mbappe from PSG.
Leonardo blasted Real Madrid for their approach on Mbappe, calling their behavior in the negotiations "disrespectful, incorrect, illegal and unacceptable." Leonardo then said that PSG verbally said no to Madrid, and they have not received another offer.
He later added that they will not be selling Mbappe for less than the $211.7 million they paid AS Monaco to get his services back in 2018 and that Real Madrid's current offer is not sufficient. Sources have told ESPN that PSG would consider an offer of around $235 million to sell Mbappe to Real Madrid.
Related Article: No More Mbappe and Messi? Real Madrid Tests PSG's Resolve With $188 Million Offer for French Star
PSG lining up Ronaldo signing?
If that deal transpires, expect PSG to look for another star signing before the window closes. One possible target for PSG is Cristiano Ronaldo, who's reportedly angling for a move to leave Juventus. He was benched in Juve's league opener against Udinese and left training on Wednesday with an apparent arm injury.
The brother of PSG's owner added fuel to the fire when he posted a cryptic tweet with an image of Ronaldo and Messi both wearing PSG kits with the caption "Maybe." Such a blockbuster signing will help ease the pain of seeing Mbappe move to Real Madrid immediately after the Messi transfer.
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