PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi: Kylian Mbappe has two weeks to decide then 'the door is open' for shock exit

Updated 05/07/2023 at 20:23 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe shocked French football when he declared his intention to leave the French capital club next season on a free transfer, even causing French president Emmanuel Macron to campaign for him to stay. On Wednesday afternoon, the club's president said that the player could leave this summer but he could not leave for free.

PSG president says club cannot let Mbappe leave as a free agent

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said Kylian Mbappe has two weeks to decide his future and ‘the door is open’ for him to leave.

The Qatari businessman was speaking at a press conference to confirm the arrival of former Spain national team boss Luis Enrique as the club’s new manager, replacing Cristophe Gaultier.

The club have already seen Lionel Messi decline to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes, and the Argentine then moved to MLS side Inter Miami on a free transfer.

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Mbappe has declared his intention to follow suit next summer, by leaving the club when his contract expires instead of agreeing a new deal or taking up the option of another year. He is strongly rumoured to want to join Real Madrid, and PSG are said to be willing to sell him now rather than lose him for nothing next year, though they are not in a position to compel him to do so.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon. Al-Khelaifi discussed the matter, saying: “We want him to stay but he can't leave for free. There was a verbal agreement and he had discussed it in an interview.

“And I was really shocked to learn that he had decided to leave for free. It’s very disappointing because Mbappe is a fantastic boy, a real gentleman and to leave for free, weakening the biggest club in France, it’s not him. When I heard the news, I was shocked and disappointed.”

He added that Mbappe would have two weeks to decide his future.

“It’s for him to decide for himself next week, or at most in the next two weeks,” he continued. “And if he does not want to sign a new contract, the door is open. It’s like that for him and everyone else. Nobody is bigger than the club, no player, not even me. It’s very clear.

“By the standards of football, you never see your best player leave for free. It just doesn’t happen.”

Enrique added that he had not made any final decision.

He said: "When I signed, we always remain open. A lot of things can happen.

"I will keep it private as it's professional secrecy. I cannot give confidences but we will try to make the best possible squad for PSG”.

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