Kylian Mbappe can't keep PSG and Real Madrid waiting forever - superstar must make future decision sooner rather than later

Madrid were convinced it was all sorted in 2022. Depending on which version of the story you believe — and there are a lot of them — Mbappe had given his word to Real president Florentino Perez. He was set to be a Real Madrid player that summer. Madridistas had already generated online hype; the photoshopped kits emerged on social media; there was the standard talk of real estate agents contacted, house viewings scheduled. Mbappe to Madrid was a-go.

And then came the dramatic U-turn. Mbappe, whether by money or loyalty, had a change of heart. The move collapsed. In May, he announced that he would pen a new deal at PSG, and admitted that he considered Madrid's interest.

"I would like to sincerely thank Real Madrid… I am aware of the chance and privilege I had at being coveted by such an institution. I will be their biggest fan in the Champions League final. At my home.”

The terms of his newfound deal were generous, money beyond what football players generally conceive as realistic.

This was not as much a contract as a dowry, a series of payments structured to guarantee loyalty, the terms to cement a successful relationship. Three years, with an option to leave after two. €72 million (£63m/$77m) per season. An extra €70m ($75m/£60m) for every year he decided to stay. And PSG, after being so royally torn apart in the negotiations, announced Mbappe's renewal with the kind of fanfare that they might offer a new signing. There were fireworks, flashing lights, and loud music. And at the centre of it all stood one player, a smug Mbappe with the kind of grin of someone who had just procured unimaginable wealth.

Then, the story gets murky, moving further into the realm of rumour and hearsay. The Spanish press claimed that Mbappe practically begged to leave PSG within weeks of penning the new deal, and was on the phone with Perez as soon as possible.

By October, it emerged that Mbappe was already exploring the possibility of leaving PSG, his so-called "entourage" looking into future options (including one Spanish team that play in white). The French press, meanwhile, insisted that Mbappe was happy, best mates with World Cup rival Lionel Messi and, despite his openly antagonistic non-relationship with Neymar - something neither player did anything to hide - Mbappe was considering staying in Paris.

Of course, he remained at the club throughout the 2022-23 season — albeit not without controversy. At numerous points, the winger manipulated storylines, and controlled the narrative around his future moves. He highlighted Bayern Munich's quality after a Champions League loss, suggesting that the German side were simply built to win the competition in a way that PSG were not. He engaged in open revolt over a season ticket campaign, which the Parisians swiftly erased from public view. On-pitch success, though, masked all of this. PSG won Ligue 1, Mbappe won the Golden Boot, and became the club's all-time leading goal-scorer. His late run of form helped revive a languishing season. The Parisians could hardly complain about a superstar keeping them in the running.

Everything seemed pointed towards a reasonably quiet summer in the Mbappe saga in 2023. The forward was, of course, under contract, and Madrid's purchase of Jude Bellingham meant that Los Blancos were financially hamstrung — even if they saved some cash with the departure of Karim Benzema.

But Mbappe — as he always does — changed things. He informed the Parisians in writing - just to make it official - that he would not be picking up the extra option to extend his contract at the end of the 2023-24 season. Yes, he wanted to stick around until 2024. After that, though, he couldn't guarantee anything.

The consensus was that it was all a cry out to Perez, but Perez didn't bite. Instead, Saudi Arabia came knocking. PSG accepted a mammoth bid for Mbappe from Pro League side Al-Hilal, who were willing to pay the Parisians €300m (£259m/$332m). But with€700m (£605m/$776m) on the table for just one year's commitment, and a gentleman's agreement that he would be allowed to play for Madrid in 2024, Mbappe refused to negotiate. He would have become, by some margin, not only the most expensive but also the highest-paid athlete in sports history. But Madrid were the only club he would leave Paris for.

For the Parisians, Mbappe made the perfect decision. It became clear that Madrid wouldn't come knocking, but the Frenchman simply could not turn down the opportunity to play football. Somewhere in there is an athlete who loves playing this sport. PSG didn't exploit that as much as stumble upon it. Mbappe, in effect, showed his hand too soon. He returned from training exile, and was hurried back into the squad.

Only this time, things look a bit different. Mbappe is still a global megastar, one of the best players in the world, and a marketing tool like no other. He still wears AirMax boots, flaunts his signature celebration, and makes millions with every social media post. But now, under new manager Luis Enrique, Mbappe is part of a team. Yes, he's a star, and the best player PSG have, but he's also not entirely crucial to the system. For the first time since he arrived in Paris, he isn't leading a side that caters to him.

And neither will the manager. Luis Enrique has openly criticised Mbappe on a handful of occasions, slamming the forward for his lack of effort. Mbappe can still get away with poor defensive contributions — he often does, in fact. But he isn't above blame, either.

Not that any of that deterred Madrid. Los Blancos are, reportedly, back in for Mbappe again. They have set the winger a seriously, totally, we-100%-mean-it-mate deadline of January 15 to make his final choice. Los Blancos have effectively offered to buy if Mbappe can give them total assurance that he wants to play there. In other words: "please don't make us look like idiots again, Kylian."

Mbappe's response earlier this week, then, was entirely predictable: Non-committal, underwhelming, the verbal equivalent of a shrug. And although he offered little reassurance to his current club and potential suitor, he admitted that last time this all happened — back in 2022 — he didn't arrive on his decision to stay at the club until May. He could do so once again.

And he has every right to take his time. Mbappe has no real reason to leave Paris right now. PSG are top of Ligue 1 and scraped into in the Champions League knockouts, with a slim chance they could finally win the whole thing. There is a lot to play for here.

But there is a prevailing sense that the endgame is coming. Mbappe might not have to make his decision now — he likely won't. But that big day is certainly on the horizon.

In July, Harry Kane did as many expected and left Tottenham for Bayern Munich. The England captain had outgrown Spurs and, at 30, had every right to pursue a move that would finally see him win some silverware. Newly-appointed manager Ange Postecoglu later conceded that Spurs had been prepared for his departure. He had, effectively, taken the job on the assumption that his best player would be in another team's colours before the summer was out.

PSG — and Luis Enrique — have assembled this side with much the same vigour. Twelve new signings arrived in the summer, at least three of whom can play in any of Mbappe's preferred positions. Most of them are young, versatile attacking players. None of them are anywhere near as good as Mbappe, but take the Frenchman out, and the Parisians could survive.

And for the first time, that leaves Mbappe slightly vulnerable. During the previous iterations of this saga, the forward knew he could stall as much as he wanted. Madrid coveted him because he was among the best in the world, and heir-apparent to Benzema. PSG wanted him so they could have him. And at each juncture since, he has played the two parties like he has so many defenders down the years, feinting one way before going the other.

But now, neither team is desperate for his services. The Parisians have assembled a side to outlast him. Madrid, Jude Bellingham and all, are doing just fine. In the past, the Frenchman could take his time and reap the rewards. These days, the deadlines seem more firm, the interested parties equally eager for a resolution but perhaps less fearful of hearing the one they don't want. A final call is imminent here, and for an athlete who thrives off leverage and lives off star power, the ultimate decision will have to be made soon.