Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe during training on July 20, 2023.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Kylian Mbappe has not been included in Paris St Germain’s squad for their Asian pre-season tour amid reports that he has been put up for sale by the Ligue 1 side.
Relations between Mbappe and PSG have been tense since the French forward said last month he would not renew his contract which expires at the end of next season, when he could leave Paris for free.
PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let him go for free after the club spent 180 million euros ($200 million) to sign him.
According to media reports the Parisian club will put up the 24-year-old for sale as of now as they believe he has already agreed on terms to join Real Madrid for free next summer.
PSG representatives did not immediately reply when contacted by Reuters for comment on Friday.
PSG have won nine of the last 11 Ligue 1 titles, but the team and Mbappe have been frustrated with their performances in the Champions League – a trophy the Parisian club have never won despite all their investment in the squad.
PSG went out in the last 16 rounds this year when they were beaten by Bayern Munich, failing to score in both legs. Mbappe was injured for the first leg and said they were “helpless” in the second.
Brazilian forward Neymar, another big name tipped to leave the club, has been included in coach Luis Enrique’s squad set to play against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr on Tuesday in Japan.
PSG will also face Japan league’s Cerezo Osaka and Serie A side Inter Milan before travelling to South Korea to take on Jeonbuk Motors.
Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the squad for their Asian pre-season tour, amid rumors of his potential sale. The French forward’s relationship with the club has been strained since he announced last month that he would not be renewing his contract, which expires at the end of next season. PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has stated that they will not allow Mbappe to leave for free, given the €180 million ($200 million) they paid to sign him.
Reports suggest that PSG has decided to put the 24-year-old up for sale, as they believe he has already reached an agreement to join Real Madrid for free next summer. However, PSG representatives did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Despite winning nine of the last 11 Ligue 1 titles, PSG and Mbappe have been frustrated by their performances in the Champions League, a competition that the club has never won. This year, PSG exited the tournament in the last 16 round, losing to Bayern Munich without scoring a goal in either leg. Mbappe missed the first leg due to injury and later described the team as “helpless” in the second leg.
Another high-profile player, Brazilian forward Neymar, has been included in coach Luis Enrique’s squad for their upcoming match against Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, in Japan. PSG will also face Cerezo Osaka from the Japan league and Serie A team Inter Milan before traveling to South Korea to take on Jeonbuk Motors.
The saga surrounding Mbappe’s future continues to unfold, with his exclusion from PSG’s pre-season tour fueling speculation about his imminent departure from the club.
