PSG Coach Hopes For Solution To Kylian Mbappe Dispute

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique on Friday said he hopes the club can find a solution to a dispute with player Kylian Mbappe, noting the Ligue 1 side have prior experience in resolving contract issues with the French star.

Relations between Mbappe and PSG have been tense since the French forward said he would not renew his contract, which expires at the end of the 2023-2024 season, when he could leave Paris for free.

Asked about Mbappe ahead of Saturday’s season-opening home match against Lorient, Enrique had a few words to share.

“It’s a subject we’ve come across before and a solution was found between the club and the player,” PSG coach Enrique said.

“That’s what I’d like to see. The philosophy of this club is very clear: that the club is above all else and I share that 100%.”

PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let Mbappe go on a free transfer after the club spent 180 million euros to sign him, with the forward reportedly having been frozen out of the Ligue 1 champions’ main squad.

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This is not the first time PSG and Mbappe have been involved in a contract standoff. Mbappe was also set to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2021-2022 season, but after PSG rejected a bid from Real Madrid he signed a contract extension.

Mbappe is not the only player tipped to leave the Parc des Princes in the close season window, with French media reporting that record signing Neymar and Italian midfielder Marco Verratti have been deemed surplus to requirements.

Enrique declined to comment on the conversations he has had with the duo since taking charge of the club in July, but added: “I invite you to be attentive to my actions because it is my decisions that will express my opinion.”