Mbappe and Neymar left out of PSG squad for season opener as replacement signed

12 August 2023 , 11:52

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Neymar and Kylian Mbappe's futures are both uncertain (Image: Hugo Pfeiffer/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain have left both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar out of their squad for their opening game of the season, having completed the signing of Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona.

Megastars Mbappe and Neymar each face uncertain futures at the Parc des Princes, with the latter - who's currently ruled out of action through illness - wanting to quit PSG before the summer transfer window closes and part of a five-player group being encouraged to leave by club chiefs. Midfielder Marco Verratti joins them and also isn't in the squad to face Lorient on Saturday.

Mbappe, meanwhile, has been embroiled in a saga since the start of June, having informed PSG officials that he wouldn't be signing a contract extension. That leaves the Frenchman on course to leave Paris for free next summer amid interest from Real Madrid, but the PSG hierarchy - headed up by furious president Nasser Al-Khelaifi - isn't willing to let him have his way.

They've told Mbappe, 24, that either he must find a new club before deadline day or agree to extend his deal until 2025. That's not how the France captain wants to play it, though, meaning that he's still training away from the first team with a bunch of PSG outcasts nicknamed 'The Undesirables'.

One player who certainly is desired is Dembele, who has joined from Barcelona in a transfer deal worth €50.4million (£43.5m). Unfortunately for the 26-year-old winger, he wasn't registered in time to be eligible for the Lorient clash.

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A teammate of Mbappe's at international level, Dembele could take his place in the PSG side, now managed by new boss Luis Enrique. "I am very happy to join Paris Saint-Germain and can't wait to play in my new colours," Dembele declared after completing his move. "I hope I can continue to grow here and make all the club's fans proud."

Al-Khelaifi said that the ex-Barca star, who joined the LaLiga giants for €105m (£90.6m) in 2017, would be an "important and committed player" for the Ligue 1 champions. "The passion and determination shown by Ousmane as he has signed for PSG is fantastic and perfectly corresponds to the attitude required of all of our players," the PSG president added.

Ousmane Dembele completed his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday (Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)

Have your say! Who should sign Kylian Mbappe and Neymar? Give us your picks in the comments section.

Coincidentally, Dembele was signed by Barcelona to replace Neymar six years ago when he quit the Camp Nou for a move to Paris. The Brazilian forward, now 31, is largely deemed to have failed so far in the French capital, especially after arriving for a world-record €222m (£190m).

PSG are ready to take a huge loss on Neymar, reportedly valuing him between £50m and £80m. It's been claimed that Barca have been offered the chance to re-sign him and club captain Sergi Roberto has welcomed the prospect of his return.

"I have spoken with Neymar, what we talked about is private. He would be excited to return," Roberto told Sport. "I'm sure he would bring us a lot, but in the end, I'm not the one who decides. So those in charge of deciding whether he comes or not will decide what is best for the club."

Manager Xavi was recently asked about Neymar and replied: "I can't advance anything. Last year I said the name of a player from another team and they got angry. Between now and the end of the market, we'll see."

Nathan Ridley