Kylian Mbappe, 25, who has been touted as the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) attacking partner for Lee Kang-in, 22, may be leaving the team. Korean fans will no longer have the chance to see Mbappe.
PSG announced the 29-man roster for this year’s Asia Tour on its official website on Feb. 22 (KST). PSG will play a series of trials in Japan, starting with a match against Al Nasr (Saudi Arabia) in Osaka on July 25. They will then travel to South Korea to face Jeonbuk Hyundai on August 3 at the Asiad Stadium in Busan.
Lee Kang-in, who has been injured in recent matches, will also be included in the tour roster. Lee appeared in a preseason friendly against Le Havre (France) at PSG’s Paris campus at 0 a.m. on Aug. 22, but was substituted out in the first half after feeling pain in his right hamstring. However, he will travel with the team to Japan first.
With the likes of Neymar, Marco Asensio, and other star players participating in this preseason tour, it’s noticeable that Mbappe is not among the 29 players. Mbappe’s absence is surprising as he is participating as an injured player.
Local speculation has linked Mbappe’s absence to 토토사이트 transfer rumors. “Mbappe is currently receiving a transfer offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal,” SportsBible quoted Fabrice Hawkins of France’s RMC Sport as saying. Al-Hilal have reportedly set a transfer fee of €200 million (approximately KRW 28.63 billion). Real Madrid are also said to be chasing him.
Mbappe’s contract with PSG ends in the summer of 2024. “Mbappe has informed PSG that he will not extend his contract,” European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano said on social media. “Mbappe, who has one year left on his contract, has an option for a one-year extension but is unlikely to exercise it,” the Mirror said, adding that “other clubs will be able to snap him up in the summer of 2024 without paying a penny in transfer fees.”
As a result, PSG are likely to sell Mbappe this summer in order to receive a transfer fee. In response, the Mirror predicted a number of possible destinations for Mbappe, including Al Hilal and Real Madrid. The outlet also predicted a move to Chelsea or Arsenal (in England), or even a return to PSG with his head down.
“We want Mbappe to stay at PSG,” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. “He is not free to leave the club,” he added.
Still, Mbappe is listed alongside Lee and Neymar in PSG’s projected best 11 for the 2023-2024 season. Global soccer statistics outlet Fourscore.com projects a 4-3-3 formation with Marco Asensio and Mbappe supporting Neymar on either flank, with Lee playing left midfield and Marco Verratti and Manuel Ugarte backing him up in the middle.