Kylian Mbappe is still planning to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2021/22 season, according to the former France international and current journalist Jerome Rothen.
Real Madrid have been linked with a move for Mbappe since they made a huge offer to PSG last summer and it is expected that the young forward will move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu this summer, when he becomes a free agent.
Even though Le Parisien reported this week that he is set to sign a two-year contract extension with the French club, that has been denied by his mother Fayza Lamary, who spoke to MARCA to label that report as "completely false".
Now, Jerome Rothen has spoken about the situation too and echoed that statement from the player's mother.
Mbappe wants the best sporting project
Rothen, now an RMC Sport journalist, explained that Mbappe wants to be part of the most solid sporting project.
"Mbappe has remained open to the possibility of an extension, so PSG could offer him something substantial, but money isn't his priority, it's the sporting project," Rothen said.
"He wants these answers and he is waiting for them. He doesn't have them.
"His plan, if nothing changes at PSG, is to leave. I hope that the PSG leaders are aware of that.
"What is certain, and the fans should know this, is that PSG means a lot to him and he does have strong connections to the club."
Kylian Mbappe's mother has denied claims that her son is set to stay at Paris Saint-Germain after agreeing a contract extension with the club.
French newspaper Le Parisien had claimed that negotiations between PSG and the player's parents have intensified in recent hours and the player is closer to renewing his contract and staying with PSG.
However, Mbappe's mother Fayza Lamary has exclusively told MARCA this is not the case.
"It is completely false that Kylian has renewed," she said, denying reports from Le Parisien, while also signalling that Real Madrid are "his first option".
It was reported by Le Parisien that the agreement was for a salary of 50 million euros per year for Mbappe for the two seasons, plus an option of another.
If Mbappe does leave the French club, it won't be because of a higher pay cheque at Real Madrid. In fact, he might be leaving money on the table in order to make the move.
From his point of view, he wants to join a winning team and Real Madrid's Champions League run may have convinced him that Los Blancos have everything he wants and more.
As the 2021/22 campaign is drawing to a close, Kylian Mbappe is facing his last big challenge as a Paris Saint-Germain player this season.
With three games to go until this term is over, the France international can become the first player to be named Ligue 1's top scorer and top assist provider in the same campaign.
Le Parisien reported on Thursday that Mbappe has reached an agreement to renew his contract at PSG, but his mother, Fayza Lamari, denied those rumours.
"It is completely false that he has renewed," she told MARCA.
"Real Madrid are still the first option."
Top scorers in Ligue 1
Mbappe is currently leading the scoring charts with 24 league goals, followed by Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder and Rennes' Martin Terrier, who have 21 goals each.
1. Kylian Mbappe (PSG): 24
2. Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco): 21
2. Martin Terrier (Rennes): 21
4. Moussa Dembele (Lyon): 17
5. Gaetan Laborde (Rennes): 15
Top scorer for the fourth time
Mbappe has finished as the top scorer of Ligue 1 in as many as three seasons, doing so in 2018/19 (33 goals), 2019/20 (18) and 2020/21 (27).
Should he manage to achieve the same milestone again, this will be the fourth time in a row that he has been named top scorer of the league.
Meanwhille, no Ligue 1 player has registered more assists than Mbappe this season.
"I want to continue helping the team to win," he stressed.
"Being top scorer and being able to finish as top assist provider is a goal. I've always said that if you can do both, you shouldn't turn it down."
Ligue 1 top assist providers
Mbappe's PSG teammate Lionel Messi is his closest challenger in this regard, as the Argentine is two assists behind.
1. Kylian Mbappe (PSG): 15
2. Lionel Messi (PSG): 13
3. Benjamin Bourigeaud (Rennes): 11
4. Jonathan Clauss (Lens): 10
4. Dimitri Payet (Marseille): 10
4. Hamari Traore (Rennes): 10
Controversy with his presence at the awards
Mbappe also wanted to be named Ligue 1's best player of the season, having already won this prize both in 2019 and 2021.
However, the awards gala, which is organised by the Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionels (UNFP), is scheduled to take place on May 15.
This is when PSG will travel to Qatar for their tour, but Mbappe wants to be present at the ceremony and is currently trying to find a way to be at both events.
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