Breaking: Man United will go for free agent Kylian Mbappe in January as he sends clear transfer message to Man Utd and Real Madrid

Breaking: Man United will go for free agent Kylian Mbappe in January as he sends clear transfer message to Man Utd and Real Madrid

Manchester United interested – and has just a year remaining on his Paris Saint-Germain contract

Kylian Mbappe scored a brace against Lens on Saturday night to help Paris Saint-Germain win 3-1 and quell transfer speculation.

It was Mbappe’s first appearance at the Parc des Princes since his desire to leave the Ligue 1 champions appeared on the back pages.

The France international, 24, is out of contract in a year’s time and currently has no interest in extending that deal.

Mbappe was linked with a move to Real Madrid earlier this month, with Manchester United also thought to be interested, but it appears he will stay at the Parc des Princes for at least another year. PSG will try to persuade the player to change his mind.

Mbappe has now scored 151 Ligue 1 goals for PSG since arriving six years ago.

He’s also been involved in 301 goals in all competitions for the French giants, finding the net 215 times and providing 86 assists – such is his importance to the club.

The World Cup winner signed a new two-year deal with PSG in May 2022, with the option of a further 12 months. That clause needed to be activated before the end of July this year, but wasn’t. As such, his contract is set to expire in June 2024.

It’s believed Mbappe informed PSG he wouldn’t be activating that option earlier this summer. PSG responded by trying to selling the prolific striker to Saudi giants Al-Hilal for £259million, but he rejected what would’ve been a world-record transfer.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is determined not to lose Mbappe on a free transfer next summer. The player cost PSG around £165m when he arrived from Monaco, initially on loan, in August 2017. That deal was made permanent the following summer.

Al-Khelaifi told reporters in July: “Our position is very clear. If Kylian Mbappe wants to stay – and we want him to stay – he needs to sign a new contract. We cannot let the best player in the world right now leave for free. That is impossible.”

PSG even axed Mbappe from their pre-season tour, such was their desire to secure a lucrative transfer fee. Yet Mbappe’s options were limited due to the French club’s huge asking price. As such, he’s decided to stay in the French club… for now.

Mbappe celebrated both his goals in trademark style on Saturday night and showed no signs of discontent. It’s believed Al-Khelaifi will now try to persuade the striker to sign a new contract, one which could contain a hefty release clause.

Yet Mbappe would be in a much stronger position if he becomes a free agent next summer.

Real are still the favourites to sign him, but United could be in the running if a takeover can be finalised in the coming months.

The Glazers put United up for sale last November but are yet to name a preferred bidder.

Mega-rich Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is the favourite to win the takeover race and could give Erik ten Hag a budget big enough to lure Mbappe to Old Trafford