The football world is waiting with bated breath for Paris Saint Germain forward Kylian Mbappe to decide where to play next season as his contract enters its final six months. The France captain is one of the most sought-after players in the game and has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, who will be allowed to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with the star from January 1.

Mbappe said last year he would not renew his contract at PSG, which expires at the end of the 2023-24 season, when he could leave Paris for free. The club has since shortened his deal by a year, and he is now free to openly talk to other clubs or sign a pre-contract agreement from January 1 onwards.

PSG was initially expected to trigger a 12-month option in Mbappe’s current contract to extend his stay in Paris until 2025. Still, the player reportedly wrote to the club saying he wants to exercise his right to leave the club for free a year from now. This shocked the team as they hoped to secure a new deal with Mbappe, who has been an integral part of their success since arriving from Monaco in 2021 for a reported transfer fee of PS259 million.

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Despite this, Mbappe told the club to cancel his option, and he has now entered the legal period in which he can be openly spoken about his future. In a recent interview with the French television channel Eurosport, Mbappe was asked about his future and said he has yet to decidee will remain in Paris.

Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and is an integral part of Paris St Germain’s pursuit of a fourth straight Champions League title. He is also a key figure in France’s push to win the 2024 Olympics, which could be a significant milestone for Mbappe and the country. He is also likely to significantly influence the future of young players coming through the national team system.

However, if he chooses to leave PSG this summer, it will unlikely be a smooth transition. The club will fight tooth and nail to keep him, but if the player is determined to pursue an opportunity elsewhere, it seems highly likely that the club will be forced to sell their most valuable asset this summer. With Real Madrid and Liverpool eyeing the player, this could be an exciting battle for Mbappe’s signature.