French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have raised eyebrows by excluding Kylian Mbappe from their pre-season tour of Japan.
This decision has sparked speculation about the star striker’s future, especially since he had previously expressed his intention not to extend his contract with the club, which expires next year.
Kylian Mbappe Left Out of Pre-Season Squad
PSG announced their 29-player squad for the pre-season tour of Japan, and surprisingly, Kylian Mbappe’s name was missing. No reason was given for the omission of France’s captain, leaving fans and pundits wondering about the implications of this decision.
Earlier in May, Mbappe declared that he would not extend his PSG contract beyond its expiry next year. He mentioned his desire to remain at the club for one final season.
PSG President Nasser al-Khelaifi responded by insisting that the superstar “must sign a new contract” to avoid losing him for free. Khelaifi set a deadline of a “maximum of two weeks” for Mbappe to decide: sign a new contract or leave the club this summer.
Potential Move to Real Madrid
The speculation about Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid is not new. Last year, he was expected to join the Spanish giants, but he eventually agreed to a two-year contract extension with PSG. However, the third-year option in the deal, which would take him to 2025, does not seem likely to be exercised.
Real Madrid remains a strong contender for his signature, especially after losing their long-time striker, Karim Benzema, to a move to Saudi Arabia.
Kylian Mbappe’s rise to prominence has been remarkable. After joining PSG on a season-long loan from Monaco in 2017, he became a permanent transfer in a record-breaking deal the following year.
Read More
- Juventus Pushing to Sign Franck Kessie from Barcelona
- Youssef En-Nesyri Transfer Rumors: West Ham’s Chance to Secure the Striker
- Borussia Dortmund Parts Ways with Nico Schulz: Contract Termination and Future Prospects
He played a pivotal role in helping France win the World Cup in 2018 and has emerged as one of the world’s leading forwards. In the 2021-2022 season, he was Ligue 1’s top scorer and played a key role in PSG’s 11th French title victory.
PSG’s Asian Tour and New Management
As the uncertainty surrounding Mbappe’s future continues, PSG is embarking on their Asian tour with new coach Luis Enrique. The tour ends with a match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s club, Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia, in Osaka on July 25.
The team will also face Cerezo Osaka and Inter Milan in Tokyo before concluding the tour against Jeonbuk Motors in Busan, South Korea, on August 3.
The exclusion of Kylian Mbappe from PSG’s pre-season tour has added another layer of uncertainty to the star striker’s future.
With his contract set to expire next year and his reluctance to sign an extension, the possibility of a move to Real Madrid remains on the horizon. Football fans around the world eagerly await further developments as Mbappe’s saga continues to unfold.
