PSG prepares for Mbappe to refuse to renew
"We have 24 hours left," Al Khelaifi replied about the possibility of extending the contract with Mbappe on August 31. "If possible, why not. If not, we are ready and will be fine. Extension? I don't want to talk specifically about this yet."
The PSG president said he had talked to Mbappe's family. He also praised the 24-year-old striker as a great player and person.
Earlier this summer, Mbappe announced that he would not activate the extension until June 2025. Because he did not want to lose everything in the summer of 2024, Al Khelaifi decided to sell the French striker. However, Mbappe only wanted to go to Real Madrid, the team refused to negotiate with PSG and only accepted a low price. The Saudi team, Al Hilal, was willing to pay a transfer fee of 300 million USD, but was not accepted by Mbappe.
Mbappe's refusal to leave as PSG wished caused a major conflict between the two sides. From July 22, Al Khelaifi forced the 24-year-old striker to practice with the youth team. He also did not let Mbappe participate in the Asian tour and the opening match of Ligue 1. Things only changed after news that Mbappe promised to extend and not leave as a free player. Then, Mbappe played again from the second round of Ligue 1, scoring three goals against Toulouse and Lens.
On August 31, PSG spent 57 million USD to buy Bradley Barcola from Lyon. Last season, Barcola scored seven goals and assisted 10 times for Lyon. The 20-year-old French winger is PSG's tenth rookie, after Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio, Manuel Ugarte, Lee Kang In, Lucas Hernandez, Arnau Tenas, Cher Ndour, Goncalo Ramos and Ousmane Dembele. In the opposite direction, PSG released Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, sold Mauri Icardi, Leandro Paredes, Abdou Diallo and Neymar.
PSG are ranked eighth in Ligue 1, with five points after three rounds. They drew Lorient 0-0 and Toulouse 1-1, before winning Lens 3-1. Meanwhile, Monaco and Marseille both lead with seven points.
In the Champions League, PSG fell into Group F with Dortmund, Milan and Newcastle. Experts consider this to be the most difficult group this season, due to the gathering of four strong teams from France, Germany, Italy and England. Last season, Milan reached the semi-finals, while PSG and Dortmund stopped in the 1/8 round.
