KYLIAN MBAPPE will become a free agent this summer after deciding to quit Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe, 25, has been with the Ligue 1 champions since 2017.
He came close to leaving for Real Madrid two years ago before penning a new deal.
But that contract extension comes to an end this summer.
And the Athletic claims Mbappe, who has won five titles with PSG, has decided against another renewal.
It means he will be available to snap up on a free transfer come July.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Mbappe is reportedly “leaning towards” joining Real on the second time of asking.
But his representatives have been left “unconvinced” by their offer.
And that is set to spark a major transfer scramble for Mbappe’s services across Europe.
Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked with the striker, who has 240 goals in 293 outings.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Other clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man City are also set to be keep a close eye on the situation.
But Mbappe’s wages could be the major sticking point for most of his suitors.
It’s believed he currently earns almost £900,000-a-week in the French capital.
And Mbappe may have to take a 50 per cent cut to secure a move elsewhere.
Despite not needing to pay a transfer fee to PSG, clubs will also be expected to cough up an enormous signing-on bonus for Mbappe.
Transfer expert Andy Brassell told talkSPORT this month: “Of course the fact is Mbappe will be leaving about €80million (£68.5m) on the table as well in terms of loyalty bonus.
“That is how he got himself back in the team at PSG in autumn by agreeing to that.
“A free transfer as a free transfer is not free. There’s always a huge signing-on fee.
“So he would be getting an estimated €150m (£128.5m) signing-on fee from Real Madrid.
“Very unusually for Real Madrid, they would be letting him keep the majority of his image rights.
“Which obviously could run into not even the tens of millions but the hundreds of millions.”
On Mbappe’s wages, he added: “We have said all along that this move wasn’t about money.
“Now, bear in mind, that he’s been earning under his contract at PSG for the last coming up to two years €72m (61.5m) per year before tax.
“So that is about €56m (£48m) net with the French tax laws as they are.
“It looks like he is going to earn €35m (£30m) a year at Real Madrid. So we are talking about him taking a 50 per cent pay cut.
“Now he was always going to choose PSG if it was about the money but we always said it was not down to the money.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
