Kylian Mbappe notifies PSG that he won’t be extending his contract: Source: AP

Kylian Mbappe has informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will not exercise his right to a 12-month contract extension before the conclusion of the current campaign.

According to a source with knowledge of the conversation, the France superstar informed PSG in writing of his decision on Monday. The speaker requested anonymity since they were not permitted to publicly remark.

Additionally, the source said that Mbappe would not be permitted to leave PSG as a free agent, opening the door to a possible summer move and an instant bidding war between teams.

Lionel Messi left the French club, which is controlled by Qatar Sports Investments, for Inter Miami in a surprise transfer, leaving the club with nothing in exchange.

The future of Brazilian international Neymar, another PSG star, is also up in the air.

The largest loss for PSG, though, would come from the likely departure of Mbappe, 24, who is a national hero and largely seen as one of the few players capable of unseating Messi and Ronaldo as soccer’s biggest stars.

Mbappe has until July 31 to opt out of a one-year contract extension. He joined the team in 2017, moving from Monaco in a deal that was reportedly for $190 million.

Real Madrid made a $190 million offer for the World Cup-winning attacker in 2021, but PSG declined. The player afterwards signed his current deal.

Mbappe wanted to help PSG win the Champions League for the first time, but the squad was once again unsuccessful in the tournament, which was ultimately won by Manchester City on Saturday after they defeated Inter Milan 1-0.

Given that Karim Benzema departed the Spanish powerhouse for the Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, it is expected that the teenage striker will be linked with a transfer to Madrid.

Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for England, has already signed a contract with Madrid. After giving up its Spanish league and Champions League championships this year, the possible signing of Mbappe would be a significant declaration of determination.

After attempts to sign the greatest talents failed to result in success in Europe, PSG was considering a shift in approach. Young French talent would be the new area of emphasis. It was hoped that Mbappe would sign a longer-term deal since he was anticipated to be the driving force behind that transition.

With PSG, Mbappe has five French league championships, and in 2018, he won the World Cup with France.