At 9 p.m. (LIVE! on kicker), PSG will start the season with a home game against FC Lorient. Not with those chosen by new coach Luis Enrique: the superstars Mbappé and Neymar and the Italian Marco Verratti.
All three are associated with change. Mbappé had recently stated that he did not want to move or extend this summer – which means that PSG is threatened with a free transfer next summer given the contract that expires on June 30, 2024.
The problem with financial fair play
One consequence of Mbappé’s behavior: According to “L’Equipe”, the 24-year-old is currently training with the players with whom PSG is no longer planning in the new season. A practice group, some of which is very prominent, which also includes the 58-time national player Julian Draxler. The 29-year-old ex-Schalke player is not part of the squad against Lorient either.
According to “L’Equipe”, PSG also made it clear that only selling Mbappé this summer would allow the club to meet financial fair play. Real Madrid have been linked with the star striker that the Saudis would also like to have in their league. Mbappé had rejected an XXL offer from Al-Hilal Riyadh at the end of July.
Neymar trains individually – Luis Enrique’s clear message
Neymar, meanwhile, trained alone on Friday as he recovered from a viral infection, the club said. But according to media reports, PSG are no longer planning with the 31-year-old Brazilian. According to this, Luis Enrique and sports director Luis Campos informed Neymar, Verratti (30), Hugo Ekitike (21) and ex-Bayern professional Juan Bernat (30) on Wednesday that they no longer have a future with the champions. According to “L’Equipe”, Neymar’s contract in Paris, which should bring him 30 million a year, runs until 2027. However, Neymar’s father only denied his son’s possible departure on Tuesday.
Verratti, 30, who has played in PSG’s midfield for 11 years, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. New PSG coach Luis Enrique had spoken to both Neymar and Verratti and said on Friday: “My decisions will clearly express my views.”
