New twist in Mbappe tale

French superstar Kylian Mbappe is likely to put an end to speculations on his future at Paris Saint Germain within this month as he is expected to stay at the French Club, following a lucrative renewal of his contract.

Mbappe is expected to reveal in the coming days whether he will join Real Madrid or accept a lucrative offer to stay at PSG, with an announcement potentially being made in the hours after the French champions play their final game of the Ligue 1 season at home to Metz on Saturday.

He is said to have snubbed a lucrative offer from Spanish giants Real Madrid despite having verbal agreements in place as reported by various European media outlets and journalists.

The 23-year old’s contract expires this summer and Real were in a pole position to lure him away from Paris after they held talks with the French striker after their Champions League Round of 16 tie.

But it has been reported by French newspaper Le Parisien that the Parisians swooped in with a two-year extension worth about 50 million euros per year along with a 100 million euros in addition as a signing bonus. They added that Mbappe and PSG had agreed in principle to this new contract, which will keep him in Paris till 2025, with an option to extend for one more year.

With his contract expiring on June 30, Mbappe’s representatives demanded 200 million euros but Real responded with an offer worth 130 million euros and slipped in an offer above 60% regarding Image rights, which is notably higher than what Real paid to Cristiano Ronaldo.

PSG, on the other hand, made it clear to Mbappe’s entourage that they were willing to offer him full Image rights and that the Frenchman would have an integral role in the club’s sporting project.

Mbappe, on separate occasions, had hinted at his desire on joining the Los Blancos to fulfil his childhood dream. His ambitions extend to winning the Champions League and the Ballon D’Or and Real wants to sign the French star, in whom they see their next Galactico.

PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted on Friday he has no idea where Kylian Mbappe will play his club football next season as the striker’s contract in the French capital comes to an end.

“I don’t know what his decision is. I think it’s a personal matter for Kylian and for the club,” Pochettino said at a press conference ahead of the Metz match.

“There are lots of rumours going around but the player is the one who will have to talk about this.”

“I hope Kylian is still here for many years to come but I also can’t lie. I don’t know what is going to happen,” he said.