Why PSG are leaving Kylian Mbappé out of their pre-season tour

Might Kylian Mbappé’s appearance in Friday’s 2-0 friendly victory over Le Havre be his last for PSG? 

This evening, PSG have decided to leave their star attacker out of their pre-season tour of Japan, with Les Parisiens persuaded that the player has a pre-agreement with Real Madrid for a free transfer in 2024.

PSG President Al-Khelaifi has been clear with both the player and Sporting Advisor Luis Campos since the beginning of the summer: either the player extends his contract or he will be sold this summer.

From PSG’s perspective, as of this evening, the latter possibility has never been more likely.

The club has informed the player “all those who do not travel to Japan are not part of the club’s plans.”

PSG affirm to sources contacted by L’Équipe that Mbappé’s lack of decision-making is paralysing them in the transfer market. This was a position that Luis Campos made clear again to Mbappé on Friday in a one on one conversation. The PSG board wants to begin what they call “the future of PSG without Mbappé” from their Japan tour onwards.

Up until now, Nasser Al-Khelaifi has had no contact with his Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez. PSG are waiting for the 31st July deadline that they have imposed on the player to make his mind up on whether or not he will extend his contract, before officially putting the player in the market.

Clubs have already called PSG, but they will also have to convince the player. From Mbappé’s side, he is currently impossible to read. This chess match continues.

GFFN | James Thorpe