Kylian Mbappe has reportedly been warned by Paris Saint-Germain that they will be forced to sell some of his teammates if he attempts to facilitate a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.
The France international appeared to be edging closer to joining Los Blancos last year before performing a U-turn and signing a new two-year contract with PSG that included a 12-month extension.
Mbappe has now entered the final year of his contract at the Parc des Princes and has allegedly handed in a letter to PSG confirming that he does not intend to activate the option to extend his deal until 2025, allowing him to leave the club for free in the summer of 2024.
The 24-year-old attacker has insisted that he is keen to stay with the Ligue 1 champions for the new season, but speculation continues to swirl surrounding his long-term future.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently admitted that he was left "shocked" and "disappointed" to learn of Mbappe's decision to leave for free at the end of his contract.
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However, Al-Khelaifi has also stated that Mbappe has a two-week deadline to make a final decision on his future at the club, and has refused to rule out a potential sale of their star striker this summer.
According to Sky Sports News, should Mbappe attempt to leave PSG for free next summer, the financial hit to the club would be so significant that they would be forced to sell a number of first-team players.
The report adds that the Frenchman is being encouraged to honour his previous agreement with the club of not leaving the Parc des Princes for nothing.
PSG are said to be in favour of selling Mbappe to Real Madrid next summer if he agrees to extend his contract until 2025 as they believe that would suit all parties, with the French club receiving a substantial transfer fee and allowing the striker to secure his dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The report also claims that Mbappe's current behaviour is 'paralysing' PSG and the striker has been told: "If you want to go, go now".
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Mbappe has spent the last six seasons with PSG, scoring a club-record 212 goals in 260 appearances across all tournaments as well as winning 12 domestic trophies including five Ligue 1 titles.
While Real Madrid have been long-term admirers of Mbappe, who was recently appointed the captain of the France national team, a number of top Premier League clubs have also been credited with an interest.
Manchester United will reportedly consider a big-money swoop for Mbappe if Qatari investor Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani completes a takeover of the club.
Arsenal are also believed to be contemplating an approach for the Frenchman, albeit in 2024, while a recent report claimed that Liverpool are ready to break the world transfer record and spend as much as $300m (£237.1m) to lure the striker to Anfield.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are thought to be one of few clubs in Europe who have the finances to sign Mbappe, but manager Pep Guardiola has stated that the treble winners will not pursue a move for PSG's No.7 and hinted that the striker already has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid.
Oliver Thomas
