Kylian Mbappe has confirmed that he asked to leave PSG in July

The 22-year-old’s future dominated the headlines in the lead up to transfer deadline day after Real Madrid made an opening bid, worth €160 million a week, before the window closed. PSG turned down that offer.

Mbappe’s contract expires at the end of this season, meaning he can leave as a free agent next year.

Mbappe, however, explained to French outlet RMC Sport that he informed the Ligue 1 club of his desire to leave in July so that they could obtain a transfer fee and have time to find a replacement.

I asked to leave, because from the moment I did not want to extend (my contract), I wanted the club to have a transfer fee to find a quality replacement,” Mbappe said.

It is a club that has given me a lot, I have always been happy, the four years I spent here, and I am still happy. I announced it early enough … I said, if you don't want me to leave, I'll stay.”

It was reported that Mbappe had rejected two new contract offers from the French club and Mbappe insisted he had not turned down “six or seven” extension proposals.

People have said that I refused six or seven offers of extension, that I do not want to talk to (sporting director)Leonardo, this is absolutely not true. They told me ‘Kylian now you talk with the president,’” he said.

Personally, I did not appreciate the fact that they said I came (with the news he wanted to leave) the last week of August. I said at the end of July that I wanted to go.”

It is widely expected that Mbappe will now join Real on a free transfer next summer, and speaking before the game against Espanyol his international colleague Karim Benzema confirmed as much.