In an interview with RMC Sport, Kylian Mbappe, the ace striker for Ligue 1's Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), said he told the club he intended to leave in the summer not at the end of the transfer season.

"I asked to leave because from the moment I didn't want to extend (my contract), I wanted the club to receive a transfer fee to bring in a quality replacement," Mbappe explained. "It's a club that's given me a lot, and I've always been and continue to be happy here in the four years I've been here. I stated it early enough for the club to respond."

For years, Mbappe's name has been linked with Real Madrid of La Liga, and "Los Merengues" were serious about bringing him to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu during the last transfer window. On August 31, the penultimate day of the transfer window, their offer increased from 160 million euros (about $185.6 million) to 180 million euros (approximately $208.7 million) to a final price of 200 million euros (roughly $231.9 million).

Despite Mbappe's contract expiring in the summer of 2022, PSG turned them all down when he may depart as a free agent.

"I respected that I wanted everyone to come out of this stronger, that we depart hand in hand, and that we make a fair deal. If you don't want me to leave, I'll stay, I said. People claimed I had turned down six or seven contract offers and no longer wanted to speak with Leonardo, but this is not the case. 'Kylian, now you speak with the president,' they said "Mbappe threw in his two cents.

PSG made the most buzz in the summer transfer market by signing Lionel Messi. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner, though, has struggled to settle into the new squad as successfully as many had hoped. Mbappe was said to be unhappy about Messi's coming as a result of this.

"I never expected him to show up here! He's one of the few players who I categorize as "difficult for me to play with." "L'Equipe quoted Mbappe as saying. "He was never going to leave Barcelona in my opinion. Alongside him, I'm savoring every moment. It's important to remember that it's still a privilege. He is a football enthusiast. He interacts with everyone and is attempting to assimilate in his own unique way, despite his shyness. On the other hand, he isn't afraid to take risks on the field."