In a positive development, tensions between Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain eased slightly on Sunday as the star striker was allowed to return to training following “constructive and positive negotiations” between the two parties.
Mbappe watched from the stands on Saturday as the defending champions PSG played out a 0-0 draw against Lorient at home, as he was embroiled in a contract dispute. He aims to play this season and leave on a free transfer when his contract expires, but PSG seeks to sell him to prevent this scenario.
“After very positive and constructive discussions between Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe before the PSG-Lorient match, the player resumed training with the first team this morning (Sunday),” PSG announced in a statement on Sunday.
PSG’s President Nasser Al-Khelaifi reportedly spoke with the players during Sunday’s training session, reaffirming that Mbappe remains an integral part of the team for the upcoming season. However, Mbappe indicated that he still intends to leave after the season ends when his contract expires, indicating that there is little change on that front.
The World Cup star was left out of the pre-season tour to Japan and South Korea and trained separately from the first team last week. He is now eligible to play against Toulouse on Saturday.
PSG clearly needs him, having won just one out of their first four matches this season, struggling offensively against Lorient without both Mbappe and Neymar.
PSG has reportedly received a world-record offer of $332 million from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal for Mbappe, who is said to have turned down a meeting with the club’s representatives when they came to Paris last month to sign another player.
The 24-year-old player is rumored to want to join Real Madrid next season as a free transfer, completing a deal with a hefty contract fee.
PSG has not indicated whether Mbappe is negotiating a new contract, but the positive and constructive nature of the discussions suggests an improvement in what had become a contentious relationship after Mbappe informed the club in June that he would not extend his contract for another year.
This undoubtedly left Al-Khelaifi feeling puzzled and disappointed after significant efforts were made to meet Mbappe’s wage demands when he signed a new contract in May last year until 2024, with an option until 2025.
The situation also puts early pressure on the newly-appointed coach Luis Enrique, who stated on Friday that he hopes to find a solution to keep Mbappe.
While some of the air has been cleared with Al-Khelaifi, Mbappe holds all the cards.
And even though he posted an online welcome message as French winger Ousmane Dembele joined PSG from Barcelona on Saturday, they will only play together for one season if Mbappe departs next summer as he plans to.
However, Brazilian forward Neymar and midfielder Marco Verratti could also leave PSG this summer, both of whom did not play against Lorient. Both have been linked to moves to the Saudi Arabian league.
As a result, Enrique still has a lot to do and little time left to help PSG compete for starting spots in the Champions League.
