It’s time to sell Kylian Mbappe, PSG! Striker's move to Real Madrid is finally on - and Ligue 1 giants must take the cash and run

This all started with a picture from the past. A young Kylian Mbappe sits on his childhood bed, leaning on the wall, while a collage of Cristiano Ronaldo posters surround him. There isn't an inch of white space, just a Real Madrid legend plastered all over his room.

That image first came to light in 2017, when the then-Monaco forward was in search of a new club — already pipped as one of the best strikers in the world at 18. At the time he chose PSG, putting his childhood dreams on hold. But there was always a sense that he would someday be a Madrid player.

Six years later, it has become relevant again. Mbappe informed PSG yesterday that he would not be renewing his contract, which expires at the end of next season. This comes less than 12 months after he spurned Madrid interest, and committed at least another two years of his future to Paris.

The Parisians are now in a classic football predicament; they can either sell Mbappe now or risk losing him for free in a year. And Los Blancos still lurk.

PSG have adamantly declared that Mbappe will not leave the club for free under any circumstances. They insist that he will either change his mind and pen a new long-term contract, or leave for a handsome fee this summer. Mbappe, meanwhile, has insisted that he is not trying to force a move, and that he wants to play at Parc des Princes next year. But his good will — if not shrewd negotiating tactic — does little to chance PSG's stance. If the Parisians are true to their word, Mbappe will likely be out of Paris by the end of August.

Now might just be the time for PSG to cash in, anyway. Mbappe is among the best players in the world, and a Paris native. But he's also always had one eye on the Spanish capital. And at this point, when in need of striker, Madrid are almost certain to pay up.

So, PSG have been gifted the chance for Mbappe to leave on the most favourable terms possible, and they should take it. This is no longer about the idealism of a local kid, or the Ligue 1 title he would inevitably deliver next season. Instead, the Parisians face a financial decision, one intrinsically tied to the success of their side for years to come. Mbappe must be sold.