Kylian Mbappe to complete Real Madrid transfer this week

Real Madrid will announce the signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain this week as a free agent, according to club sources.

Last month, the 25-year-old France international confirmed his decision to leave PSG, where he scored 256 goals, when his contract expires on June 30 because he “needs a new challenge after seven years”.

Mbappe’s move to Madrid is one of the most anticipated transfers in football history and comes after several years of interest from the Spanish club.

Madrid had attempted to sign Mbappe in 2022, when the striker’s previous contract at PSG was due to expire. That year, the striker — who joined PSG from Monaco, initially on a loan agreement, in 2017 — chose to renew at the Parc des Princes.

Mbappe’s extension in 2022 included a 12-month extension clause for the 2024-25 season. However, only Mbappe could trigger that extension, not PSG.

Mbappe renewed with PSG in 2022 (Gao Jing/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Mbappe won 15 trophies across his spell in the France capital, including six Ligue 1 titles. However, Mbappe did not win the Champions League trophy at PSG — losing to Bayern Munich in the club’s only final appearance in 2019-20.

Madrid’s interest in the striker was revived this season, with The Athletic reporting in January that the Frenchman was aware of Madrid’s contractual offer.

As reported by The Athletic, senior board figures informed Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of his side’s Champions League last-16 first leg against RB Leipzig on February 13 that he could count on the striker from next season.

Mbappe informed PSG in February that he would not execute the optional additional year in his contract through to 2025 that had been included in his 2022 renewal; meaning he would leave the club at the end of the season as a free agent. Days later, the striker confirmed his decision to his PSG teammates and head coach Luis Enrique.

Madrid will announce Mbappe’s signing this week, ahead of this summer’s European Championship. However, the date of the striker’s presentation is less clear due to the player’s international commitments.

GO DEEPER

This summer on The Athletic: Tournaments, transfers and tours

Get the latest transfer news on The Athletic…

How will Mbappe be remembered at PSG?

Analysis from The Athletic’s PSG correspondent Peter Rutzler

Kylian Mbappe is the best French player to have worn the PSG shirt. Arguably, he is their best of all time and perhaps their most important and influential.

Since he signed for Monaco in the summer of 2017, initially on loan and then made permanent for an eye-watering €180million (now £153.8m; $193.7m), PSG have transformed as a club. They are now an internationally recognised brand, a super club, a team who have boasted star players and Mbappe has been at the heart of it.