Kylian Mbappe confirmed he told Paris Saint-Germain he wanted to leave the club in July in an interview released Monday by French broadcaster RMC .
Mbappe was subject to reported bids from Real Madrid approaching 200 million euros ($230 million) in August as he entered the last season of a five-year contract with PSG.
“I asked to leave,” the 22-year-old star said, explaining once he decided not to renew his deal “I wanted the club to have a transfer fee to have a quality replacement.”
Mbappe can sign a pre-contact agreement with another club in January and join after the season with PSG getting no fee.
He asked to go in July and hoped to leave with a good deal and respect on all sides. Reports that his request was in the last week of August made him sound like a thief, Mbappe said.
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“I said, ‘If you don’t want me to go, I will stay’,” Mbappe told his interviewer, former France and PSG player Jérôme Rothen. “It’s a club that that’s given me a lot and I’ve always been happy.”
PSG rejected Madrid's interest then signed free agent Lionel Messi in August to form a superstar attack with Mbappe and Neymar as the club pursues a first Champions League title.
Extracts of the interview were published Monday one day ahead of a longer interview being broadcast.
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