The noise surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s transfer is keep getting louder.
The forward has been reportedly barred from training with the first-team by PSG as his contract dispute with the club continues, the Guardian has reported.
PSG are set to return to their training base on Monday after their tour of Japan and South Korea, but Mbappe will not be part of Luis Enrique’s first team.
The 24-year-old Mbappé is in a standoff with PSG after his decision not to take up the option of a 12-month extension. Instead, he plans to leave as a free agent in 2025 when he is widely expected to join Real Madrid.
PSG wants to cash in on the World Cup star now rather than let him walk for free a year from now when his contract expires.
Mbappe had also turned down a world record $332 million bid from Saudi team Al-Hilal and refuted to meet with the club’s official.
PSG could try pressuring Mbappé to sign a new contract by leaving him out of the team when the season starts. But given that PSG only won the league by one point last season, that appears to be a risky strategy and might displease fans. It would also create a potentially toxic atmosphere for new PSG coach Luis Enrique.
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