Here we go again.
Just five months after a dramatic transfer saga in which Kylian Mbappe spurned Real Madrid in favor of signing a lucrative new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, the French superstar is reportedly seeking an exit.
The 23-year-old forward feels “betrayed” by the Ligue 1 club and wants to leave in January as the relationship between the two sides has broken down, sources told Julien Laurens of ESPN.
While Mbappe is open to multiple destinations, joining Real Madrid is his preference, Laurens adds.
For their part, PSG have no intention of selling Mbappe in the upcoming transfer window despite the situation growing increasingly tense, according to Fabrizio Romano of The Guardian. After being scorned so publicly this past summer, it remains to be seen if Florentino Perez and Real Madrid would reengage in negotiations so soon.
Mbappe feels as though promises made by president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, sporting director Luis Campos, and manager Christophe Galtier have not been honored, with on- and off-pitch issues causing friction, Laurens adds.
Among the most pressing matters is PSG’s recruitment during the summer transfer period. Mbappe was assured – in vain, as it turns out – that he would play alongside a recognized No. 9 in attack, according to Laurens. The club’s inability to sign additional cover at center-back bothered him, too.
His relationship with fellow star Neymar has also deteriorated, Laurens reports.
Mbappe seemed to let his frustrations slip in September when he admitted he enjoyed playing for France more than PSG because the national team afforded him more freedom on the pitch.
Galtier appeared to concede earlier this week that Mbappe isn’t entirely happy with his role on the field.
“I am trying to reassure him by finding different options,” the manager admitted. “I don’t know what the club told him before I arrived in the summer, but we are very sensitive as to how he feels and what he says because he is a very important player for the team.”
Mbappe is tied for the Ligue 1 lead in scoring this season, finding the net eight times in just nine appearances. He also has three Champions League tallies this campaign.
