Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have withheld Kylian Mbappe’s salary for the past two months, escalating tensions with the player, who is set to join Real Madrid. According to insiders, the club believes Mbappe failed to uphold a previous commitment to the French champions during his free transfer exit. This withholding includes a bonus payment as well. Mbappe is currently competing with France at the UEFA Euro 2024, where he sustained a broken nose . He is expected to be presented as a Real Madrid player on July 16.
Why did PSG withhold Kylian Mbappe’s payment?
Sources familiar with the situation explained that this commitment was an “agreement in principle” between Mbappe and his representatives, designed to “financially compensate” PSG if he left on a free transfer when his contract expired on June 30. The arrangement was complex, covering scenarios like Mbappe waiving certain loyalty bonuses. Mbappe himself mentioned that “all parties would be protected” upon his departure.
Negotiations have been ongoing since it was confirmed that Mbappe would join Real Madrid, but PSG’s decision to withhold his salary indicates minimal progress.
The Kylian Mbappe Transfer saga
In May, Mbappe announced his decision to leave PSG, where he scored 256 goals, stating he needed “a new challenge after seven years.” In 2022, Real Madrid attempted to sign Mbappe as his previous contract with PSG neared its end. However, Mbappe chose to renew his contract, which included a clause for a 12-month extension into the 2024-25 season, an option that only he could trigger, not PSG.
In February, Mbappe informed PSG that he would not activate the additional year in his contract, meaning he would leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season. He later confirmed his decision to his PSG teammates and head coach Luis Enrique, with Real Madrid officially announcing the move on June 3.
Following this announcement, Mbappe expressed feeling “happy, liberated, and relieved” to join Real Madrid, after a season where “things and people made me unhappy” at PSG. At a France press conference, he stated, “I was told I won’t be playing for PSG. It was made clear to me, both through the media and directly to my face. Luis Enrique and Luis Campos saved me. Without them, I’d never have set foot on the pitch. That’s the strict truth, and that’s why I’ve always been so grateful to the coach and the sporting director.”
