According to a source close to the Ligue 1 champions, France captain Kylian Mbappe has informed Paris Saint-Germain officials of his intention to depart when his contract concludes at the end of the season.
Despite extending his contract until 2024 back in 2022, the 25-year-old declined to activate a clause last summer that would have allowed him to remain at PSG for an additional year.
There have been widespread speculations linking Mbappe with a move to Real Madrid, and as per the same source, negotiations with the Spanish giants have already commenced.
"The terms of the departure have yet to be fully agreed," the source said, adding that the club and Mbappe will make an official statement "when everything is finalised in the next few months".
When contacted by AFP, PSG opted not to comment. However, it is understood that Mbappe's departure will be officially announced in the coming months.
"PSG are focused on the future," said the source.
Mbappe is set to depart PSG on a free transfer, but the financial hit to the club will be mitigated by an agreement reached last summer, wherein the player will waive bonuses totaling approximately 60 to 70 million euros ($65.6 million to $76.6 million).
After seven seasons with PSG, during which he became the club's all-time leading scorer with 274 goals, Mbappe appears poised to fulfill his childhood dream of joining Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have openly expressed their desire to bring Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu, with club president Florentino Perez pursuing him in 2019, 2021 and 2022, only to be turned down each time.
For PSG, losing their primary star just a year after the departures of Neymar and Lionel Messi signals the start of a period of uncertainty.
Coach Luis Enrique is expected to be empowered to build a new, youthful and cohesive team.
At the highest echelons of the club, there has been a clear message in recent months that the focus must shift to "recruiting several players" upon Mbappe's departure.
According to a source close to the club, PSG will continue its evolution "towards teamwork and youth."
Nevertheless, Mbappe has been a prolific goal-scorer, surpassing all others this season. He once again opened the scoring in PSG's 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the Champions League round of 16.
Mbappe's immense popularity, with over 111 million followers on Instagram, has also significantly contributed to PSG's global profile.
Mbappe last addressed his future in early January, maintaining that he had yet to make a decision.
"I haven't made my decision, I haven't made my choice. But we have an agreement with the president (Nasser Al-Khelaifi) which means that all parties are protected," he told French television.
Mbappe, boasting 46 goals across 75 international appearances, currently commands an annual salary of around 70 million euros.
As a free agent, he will have the opportunity to negotiate a substantial signing bonus in addition to any potential salary increase.
Should the 2018 World Cup winner and top scorer of the 2022 World Cup opt to join Real Madrid in July, he would potentially join forces with English sensation Jude Bellingham, aged 20, as well as Brazilian strikers Rodrygo and Vinicius -- one of the latter two would likely need to make room for the arrival of the Frenchman.
Spanish media outlets are already eagerly anticipating Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid, the 14-time European champions.
"Real Madrid were waiting for Mbappe to take the first step. And he has done so," said the online edition of Madrid newspaper 'Marca'.
'Marca' emphasized the importance of avoiding a recurrence of previous unsuccessful attempts to bring the player to the Spanish capital.
"The story of two years ago will not be repeated, that of waiting until the month of May."
As newspaper said Mbappe's arrival "will place the club in another dimension -- in terms of advertising and in sport as the Frenchman is, without a doubt, the best player on the planet."
In negotiations, "Real Madrid has the upper hand."
As per reports from the Spanish press, Real Madrid are adamant about maintaining their financial stability. If Mbappe's arrival is indeed confirmed, he will face the challenge of winning over fans who still harbor resentment towards him for his prior rejections.
"However, forgiveness will take as long as it takes for the goals to arrive," wrote Relevo.
(With AFP inputs)
