New Delhi: French forward Kylian Mbappe has been at odds with PSG for most of the summer after refusing to include a one-year option to extend his contract until 2025. Making this clear put him on the transfer list, as the Ligue 1 champions believed he had already agreed to join Real Madrid as a free agent when his contract expired in 2024.
PSG sideline Mbappe for friendly matches
Mbappe turned down all offers, was kicked out of PSG’s tour of Japan and South Korea, and missed the season opener against Ligue 1 side Lorient. Following the goalless draw, PSG and Mbappe agreed to a truce, allowing the striker to return to action against Toulouse on Saturday, where his performances will certainly be watched.
It will be the first time Mbappe has appeared in a PSG shirt since Le Parisien revealed his infamous altercation with President Al-Khelaifi on August 8.
What did Mbappe say to Al-Khelaifi?
L’Equipe delves deeper into the clash, revealing what both parties said to each other when tensions escalated. The PSG president told Mbappe: Never play again! We will not retreat! ” Player replied: “You see? But what do you see? You’ll be the only president who won’t let me play!”
Relations between the two sides are improving, thanks in large part to the club’s efforts in the transfer market, and Mbappe will return to the PSG squad this weekend. Neymar was cleared for a move to the Saudi Pro League at Al Hilal and Mbappe preferred the move, while the French forward brought the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Marco Asensio to the club over the summer.
🚨 Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Kylian Mbappé held a meeting on August 8 to talk about his contract situation:
🗣️ Nasser: “You’ll see! You will not play again! We won’t give in!l”
🗣️ Mbappé: “But what am I going to see? You will be the only president in history not to play me!” 😬… pic.twitter.com/CkllcfthZR
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 19, 2023
Luis Enriques on Mbappe
Luis Enrique can now trust the striker, despite being sidelined for several weeks by the club in the French capital. It remains to be seen if the Spanish coach decides to give him minutes against Toulouse this Saturday. In the press conference before the match, the coach of Asturias was happy about his return.
“Kylian is in great shape, he has a lot of desire, a very good mood. I am very happy to have a world-class player like him,” said the PSG boss. The transfer window is almost over and the soap opera still has no end in sight.