Luis Enrique silent on Mbappé’s future at PSG

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique refused to comment on the news that star forward Kylian Mbappé will leave the club at the end of this season. The French international has reportedly informed PSG of his intention to move on when his contract expires in June, with Real Madrid being the frontrunners to sign him.

Mbappé’s decision shocks PSG fans

Mbappé, who joined PSG from Monaco in 2017, has been one of the most prolific and exciting players in the world, scoring 156 goals in 216 appearances for the Parisian club. He has also won four Ligue 1 titles, three French Cups, and two French League Cups with PSG, as well as the 2018 World Cup with France. However, he has also been linked with a move away from PSG for several months, as he has not signed a contract extension with the club. According to ESPN¹, Mbappé has communicated his decision to leave PSG to the club’s hierarchy, and is expected to make an official announcement once the terms of his exit are finalized. Sources at Real Madrid have told ESPN that they are confident of signing Mbappé, who has been a long-term target for the Spanish giants. However, Mbappé’s salary demands and PSG’s valuation of the player could pose some challenges for the deal.

Luis Enrique dodges questions on Mbappé’s departure

While Mbappé’s decision has been widely reported in the media, PSG manager Luis Enrique has remained tight-lipped on the matter. At a press conference on Friday, ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 match against Lille, the Spanish coach declined to answer any questions on Mbappé’s future. “No. I can’t say anything,” Luis Enrique said when asked about Mbappé’s departure. He was then asked if he was worried about the player’s commitment for the rest of the season, but the coach made it clear that this was a topic not up for discussion. “I am going to try to bring this topic to an end. I don’t have any comments to make,” the coach said. “The parties involved haven’t yet said anything publicly, Kylian Mbappé hasn’t said anything publicly. When both parties speak, I will give my opinion.”

PSG face uncertain future without Mbappé

Mbappé’s departure will leave a huge void in PSG’s attack, as he has been the club’s top scorer and assist provider for the past three seasons. He has also formed a formidable partnership with Neymar, who signed a new four-year contract with PSG last year. PSG will have to find a suitable replacement for Mbappé, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. According to The Athletic

², PSG have identified Lille striker Victor Osimhen as a potential target, as he has impressed with his pace, power, and finishing in Ligue 1. However, PSG will face competition from other clubs for Osimhen, who is also on the radar of Liverpool and Chelsea. PSG will also have to deal with the financial implications of losing Mbappé, who is valued at around €200 million ($218 million) by the club. PSG will have to negotiate with Mbappé whether he will leave for a fee or sacrifice some of his earnings to protect the club financially. PSG are already under pressure from UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations, as they have spent heavily on transfers and wages in recent years.