French superstar Kylian Mbappe has reiterated to Paris Saint-Germain that he wants to stay for the upcoming season, according to Les Parisiens.
Despite refusing to sign a new deal, he remains steadfast in his desire not to leave the Parc des Princes this summer.
PSG banned him from the first-team squad after he told them he would not sign a contract extension.
The drama took another turn when the French forward was left out of the Ligue 1 pre-season media day, further fuelling speculation about his position within the club.
PSG’s hierarchy has made their intentions clear – unless Mbappe inks a contract renewal, he will be on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old wants to stay and see out his contract before leaving for free next summer.
However, PSG’s management believes that Mbappe has an agreement with Real Madrid to join the Spanish club in 2024.
A transfer this summer appears to be off the table, with Los Blancos not ready to pay a massive sum for him now when they can take him for free next year.
PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos have been planning for the team without the Les Bleus captain.
The crux of the matter for Mbappe lies in a perceived betrayal. Sources close to him say he feels let down by PSG’s inability to secure the signatures of top-tier players, most notably Bernardo Silva and Robert Lewandowski.
Mbappe has been demanding a better-supporting cast of players but has been unimpressed with PSG’s moves.
This perceived failure to bolster the squad has led him to declare that he won’t be extending his contract – a stance he conveyed to the club.
Both parties remain at an impasse, and it remains to be seen how they will get past this juncture with both parties feeling betrayed.
