PSG stab in the back, put Mbappe in → Neymar ‘shock’ release for €90m…first team training back to a sunny welcome

There’s a change at Paris Saint-Germain. Kylian Mbappe is back in the first team. Neymar, who participated in all the preseason matches, is leaving for Saudi Arabia.

European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Friday that “Neymar has signed a contract with Al-Hilal and completed his medical”. “Neymar is going to Al Hilal. The astronomical offer came two days ago and we signed all the documents. Neymar is leaving for Saudi Arabia this week. Signed a two-year contract and wears the number 10 on his back,” followed by “HERE WE GO,” leaving only the official announcement.

The British public broadcaster BBC also reported the signing of Neymar and Al-Hilal. According to local European media, Paris Saint-Germain agreed to sign Halil for a transfer fee of €90 million, and Neymar will be paid a total of €160 million over two years.

With Neymar’s departure, a new wind has blown through Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappe, who had been strongly linked to Real Madrid, is back in the first team. “We had a very constructive and positive conversation with Mbappe,” Paris Saint-Germain said on the club’s official channel. We spoke just before the opening match of the French Ligue 1 against Lorient. Mbappe is now back in first-team training to prepare for the next round.” In the video released, Mbappe was given a rousing welcome by his Paris Saint-Germain teammates.

Paris Saint-Germain drew 0-0 with Lorient in the first round of the 2023-24 French Ligue 1 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France. With only a point from their home opener, they sit fifth in the league for now. Without Neymar and Mbappe, Gonzalo Higuain and Marco Asensio looked to attack, but there was no real penetration and the attacking pattern was monotonous.

Mbappe was in a tug-of-war with Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window. He was in the transfer rumor mill every summer. Last summer, when his contract was about to expire, he re-signed with Paris Saint-Germain. He signed a 2+1 year deal, with a one-year option for an extension that Mbappe can exercise. However, Mbappe did not want to re-sign until 2025.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “I am shocked to learn that Mbappe will leave the club as a free agent next season. Mbappe’s decision could weaken France’s biggest club. I’m really disappointed. I have to make a decision in the next two weeks. If I don’t sign a new contract, the door is open for me to leave,” he said in an official statement.

Mbappe has until July 31 to exercise his option for a one-year extension. Mbappe has already informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will not renew his contract at the end of the 2023-24 season. Mbappe’s silence means he can officially negotiate with other clubs under the Bosman Rule next January and leave as a free agent in the summer.

“Paris Saint-Germain believe that Mbappe and Real Madrid have reached a preliminary agreement,” said Fabrizio Romano. Mbappe is disappointed with his decision to leave the club as a free agent next season. “Paris Saint-Germain have decided to sell Mbappe this summer,” according to multiple sources, including British publication The Guardian.

Global sports outlet The Athletic also reported that “Paris Saint-Germain want a transfer fee of more than 100 million euros ($141.1 million) to sign Mbappe this summer. For now, Paris Saint-Germain have left Mbappe out of their tour of Japan and have put him on the transfer market.”

Since they can’t sell Mbappe for zero, they’ve resorted to appeasement tactics. “Paris Saint-Germain has offered Mbappe a new 10-year, €1 billion ($1.4 trillion) contract,” said Forbes, an American publication. If Mbappe accepts the offer, it would be the largest in sports history.” However, Mbappe did not respond to the Paris Saint-Germain offer.

Paris Saint-Germain then took a hard line. Despite playing in the first match of the preseason, Mbappe was not included in the Japan tour. When Paris Saint-Germain announced the 29-man roster for the Japan Tour on their official website, Mbappe’s name was nowhere to be found.

Mbappe’s mind was made up, and he was dropped from the new sponsor’s main model. “Paris Saint-Germain has removed Mbappe’s picture from its new sponsor poster,” wrote Madrid Universal. The club has made it clear that if he doesn’t sign a new contract, he won’t play for them next season.”

As Paris Saint-Germain and Mbappe drifted apart, a huge offer from Saudi Arabia came in. According to French publication L’Equipe, “Mbappe did not participate in any talks with the Al-Hilal negotiating delegation that was in Paris. Al-Hilal offered Paris Saint-Germain a transfer fee of €300 million (about KRW 42.3 billion).”

Paris Saint-Germain accepted Al-Hilal’s offer, but “Mbappe’s representatives explicitly refused to hold discussions with Al-Hilal’s negotiators. This means that Mbappe is not considering a move to Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal had agreed to pay Mbappe a total of 700 million euros ($987.5 million) in salary for one year. However, Mbappe refused to have any conversations with Al Hilal. He rejected the move to Saudi Arabia outright. Mbappe’s current favorite team is Real Madrid. Al-Hilal were authorized to discuss a transfer with Mbappe when Paris Saint-Germain made a €300 million bid, but nothing came back to the table.”

The total of the transfer fee and salary adds up to 1.42 trillion. However, Mbappe refused to show his face to Al Hilal’s negotiators.

Global sports outlet ESPN also reported that “Al Hilal’s representatives made a move to sign Mbappe, but the player rejected the offer. Al Hilal are in Paris to sign Brazilian striker Maucombe, but Mbappe will not meet with officials. Al Hilal made a record bid of €300 million ($426.8 million) for Mbappe,” the report said.

“Mbappe will receive a €80 million bonus if he stays at Paris Saint-Germain this year. Paris Saint-Germain are leaning towards selling Mbappe now rather than letting him walk when his contract expires next year.”

European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano added: “Mbappe refused to negotiate with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. Al-Hilal offered Mbappe a fixed salary of 200 million euros ($282.1 million) and 100% image rights, but they did not hear back. Now, Paris Saint-Germain are convinced that Mbappe has a preliminary agreement with Real Madrid, according to a source close to the player.

Mbappe has had issues with Paris Saint-Germain this season, including royalty payments. With his contract expiring next year, it was expected that he would play out the season and join Real Madrid as a free agent.

But suddenly, the tide has turned. French outlet L’Equipe reported that “talks have resumed between Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain”. Spanish outlet Sport picked up the story and wrote: “An unexpected new twist. Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain are talking. Things could progress next week. Everything points to Paris Saint-Germain including Mbappe in the first team to restore the team’s dynamic. It could even go further and lead to a re-signing.”

“It’s been a cold start between Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain. But he could be back at the negotiating table. There are no guarantees of a positive solution, but talks between Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain have begun. The bleak situation after the start of the season could change,” the report said.

After reports emerged over the weekend, Neymar’s departure from the club has been confirmed. His insistence that he would not sign a one-year contract extension seems to have been retracted. Paris Saint-Germain have decided to exercise their option for a one-year extension. However, he will leave next summer. It seems that he has verbally agreed to leave Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee. His destination is Real Madrid.

The arrival of his French teammates also seems to have helped Mbappe stay. “Dembele’s arrival has created a positive atmosphere for Mbappe,” according to the Mirror. In fact, Dembele and Mbappe watched the opening match on the pitch and had a lot to talk about.

Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Dembele on their official website. Dembele will wear the number 23 shirt for Paris Saint-Germain and has signed a five-year contract through 2028. “I’m very happy to join Paris Saint-Germain, I’m looking forward to playing in new colors, and I hope to continue to grow here and make all the club’s fans proud,” Dembele said on joining Paris.

When all is said and done, it’s likely to be Hammers up front, with Mbappe and Dembele on either flank. Lee Kang-in is likely to provide firepower in the attacking midfield. With Marco Verratti, a key player in the midfield, also being linked to Saudi Arabia, Lee’s role is more important than ever.

Lee wasn’t 100% in preseason due to injury, but he was a mild tease in the opening game. He stunned the Paris Saint-Germain home fans with a sharp killer pass in the 12th minute. He also attempted a daring shot, but was caught in the Lorient defense and failed to register an attacking point. 메이저사이트

He started the final game and played 82 minutes on the pitch. He completed 86% of his passes and touched the ball 58 times. European soccer statisticians, including Footmob, gave Lee high marks and named him Man of the Match (MOM). He was the only bright spot in an otherwise stifling Paris Saint-Germain attack.

The Ligue 1 also gave Lee a thumbs up. In choosing him as their Man of the Match, they said, “He enjoyed the space that Lionel Messi was playing in brilliantly. The Paris Saint-Germain players would have been happy with his performance. Hamus, along with Asensio and others, played in support of him in attack. He energized the Paris Saint-Germain attack with his wide-ranging influence. He deserves to be praised.”

Meanwhile, Neymar was recently released as a free agent and has been linked with a move elsewhere. He has been linked to Premier League side Chelsea, but has also been strongly linked to his hometown club Barcelona, where he won the treble. Spanish outlet El Chiringito reported that “Neymar and Barcelona have reached an agreement. He will sign a 2+1 year contract and receive €13 million a year. Barcelona wants Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain to terminate their contract and leave.”

However, Barcelona’s finances make it difficult for them to afford Neymar’s high price tag. Catalan radio reported that “Barcelona has sold a 29.5% stake in Barça Studios. It generated a profit of 120 million euros. It is twice the amount expected. The sale will allow the club to register the players it needs for the new Primera Liga season. New signings are also possible,” and there was even a bid for Dembele, but the deal fell through and he left for Saudi Arabia.