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Football

28th Dec 2021

Kylian Mbappe says he will not join Real Madrid in January

Daniel Brown

‘No, I’m not joining Real Madrid in January. In January it’s not happening.’

Kylian Mbappe has claimed he will not join Real Madrid in January and will instead see out the season at Paris Saint-Germain.

The French striker was the subject of two bids from the Spanish giants in the summer, but PSG turned down their £137million and £145.5million bids.

The Parisians’ sporting director, Leonardo, refused to let Mbappe leave the Parc des Princes for anything less than the £166million they paid to Monaco in 2018.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular season so far, grabbing 15 goals and 15 assists in 24 appearances – making him the club’s top scorer and provider.

He was also named player of the year at Monday’s Globe Soccer Awards ceremony.

Mbappe – whose contract expires next summer – has a crucial decision to make about his future, with Madrid still keen on securing his signature.

If the French giants are to keep one of their star men, or at least give themselves the chance to receive a fee for him, they need to sort his contract out quickly.

Despite Madrid’s evident interested in him, the forward has insisted he will not leave the French capital midway through the campaign.

“No, I’m not joining Real Madrid in January. In January it’s not happening,” he told CNN.

He added: “I’m with Paris Saint-Germain, I’m really happy and I will 100 per cent finish the season as PSG player.

“I’ll give everything to win with Paris all titles this year.”

The former Monaco man was reluctant to discuss his future plans, stating that now is “really not the time” to discuss transfers.

However, he did discuss the La Liga leaders as he spoke about his desire to beat them in the Champions League round of 16.

“The only thing on my mind is to beat Real Madrid in Champions League,” Mbappe said.

“We are ready and I am ready to play and give everything for PSG.”

The France international was also keen to express how happy he is in his hometown and the “pleasure” he has when playing alongside Lionel Messi.

He said: “It’s a big pleasure for me to say to my kids, to my friends, I play with him,” Mbappe said of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“We have to enjoy seeing him in Paris… It’s an amazing moment in the history of the game.”

The Parisians currently boast a 13-point lead over second-placed Nice in Ligue 1, having won 14 of their opening 19 fixtures.

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