The Kylian Mbappe transfer saga is at last set to come to an end in February after years of links away from Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.
The French captain has been connected to an exit from the Parisian club for what seems like every transfer window in the last four years after joining PSG from Monaco in 2017 on loan.
Real Madrid's long-term interest has seen the two parties linked over a swoop, although nothing has materialised with Mbappe on numerous occasions instead signing a new deal in Paris, his most recent deal earning him a hefty payday.
That contract, though, is set to expire this summer although the player has an option to extend by another year and stop the club losing him for free this summer - which would represent a non-existent return on the £153million they signed him for.
However, after the years of to-ing and fro-ing, it appears that the player is due to reveal his plans in the next few days to PSG, according to reports from AS.
Mbappe's position at the time of writing leaves him with two conceivable options; he can either choose to extend his deal in Paris and net around £60m a year gross salary, or leave this summer for nothing and surely sign onto a far lower wage elsewhere - although Real Madrid are the most likely destination.
The report claims that sources close to PSG understand the player is thought to have told Luis Enrique's side that he will make his decision 'within the next fortnight'.
It continues by attesting that PSG are yet to formally offer an extension to the player, but rather have asked him whether he would consider staying on, and commit to the future plans of the team.
While the money on offer at PSG would understandably be a tempting prospect after the club went all out to keep their star, it is thought the player has doubts over whether staying put is the best thing for his career.
At PSG Mbappe is the star of the show, and the club more or less romp home to at least one trophy-per-year with little competition.
Yet it is the Champions League that most fascinates both club and player, and perhaps Mbappe believes his own best chance to lift the famous trophy would come at the record winners, Real Madrid.
Mbappe has never made any secret over his love for Real Madrid, however in the last six months AS reports that Los Blancos' drive to sign the player has waned, what with the emergence of Jude Bellingham and the continuing quality of Vinicius Jnr.
As such, a cryptic message has reportedly been filtered from the Bernabeu club suggesting that they will not wait forever: 'There are trains that only pass once in a lifetime.'
On the flip side, it is clear that PSG are eager to keep hold of Mbappe - the star of the show, the best player on the team - if they are to hold any hopes of challenging for the European crown they so desire, especially having lost Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi openly admitted that he wants the player to stay, and that such a move would be the best thing for his development, as well as hinting he had a 'gentleman's agreement' with Mbappe - although he would not divulge the details of said agreement.
Mbappe's importance is not solely confined to their prospects on the pitch, however, with the entire value of Ligue 1 boosted by having the biggest player in France and perhaps the world on their turf, which naturally can attract greater broadcast deals.
The club are also thought to be in the process of seeking to retain their stadium with the Paris City Council, with plans to invest some £1.7billion into refurbishment and infrastructure and retaining Mbappe is thought to be a key factor in that pursuit.
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