Mbappé was in exile in the summer. Just weeks after PSG secured the Ligue 1 title, the France captain sent a letter to the club’s executives, informing them that he would not trigger the one-year extension in his contract, effectively leaving Les Parisiens susceptible to losing the most valuable player in the world on a free in the summer 0f 2024.

PSG’s reaction was to leave the player out of their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea. Mbappé, therefore, was left to train with the “undesirables” and he was even left out of PSG’s first game of this Ligue 1 season. However, in the wake of an opening-day draw against FC Lorient, Mbappé was suddenly re-integrated.

PSG still want to extend Mbappé’s contract

PSG had been insistent that the only way Mbappé could be brought back into the fold was if he signed an extension. However, the AS Monaco academy product’s stance reportedly had not changed. He had been insistent that he wished to see out the final year of his contract, but not extend beyond that.

How Mbappé’s return was facilitated was therefore mired in mystery. Hawkins has perhaps alluded to the reason for Mbappé’s reintegration. The RMC Sport journalist has said that there is an agreement in place between the club and the player, which means that he will forego the bonuses that were owed to him. These different bonuses reportedly amount to around €80m.

PSG, meanwhile, still wish to extend Mbappé’s contract, however, the France captain’s future remains in his own hands. He has long since been linked with a move to Real Madrid, although the La Liga club have recently denied being in discussions with the PSG forward.