The three attackers PSG failed to back Mbappe with this summer

Suraj Radia

18 Oct 2022 16:20 BST
3 min read

Kylian Mbappe, PSG, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Paris Saint-Germain failed to sign any of the three strikers they were targeting during the summer, which angered Kylian Mbappe and led him to demand an exit from the club.

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Mbappe is reportedly desperate to leave PSG in January after they broke a series of promises to him when he rejected Real Madrid to extend his contract in May.

The 23-year-old has denied the speculation but he is believed to be frustrated by the club’s failure to sign a striker because it has resulted in him playing up front instead of his preferred left-wing role.

Mbappe has made no secret of his preference for playing for France compared to his club due to the presence of Olivier Giroud up front and he had pushed for PSG to sign a striker in a similar mould.

Mbappe recently posted a picture to Instagram with the caption ‘#pivotgang’, insinuating his annoyance at being played in as a hold-up striker under manager Christophe Galtier.

PSG were believed to have a shortlist of three strikers in the summer – Gianluca Scamacca, Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford – but they were unable to sign any despite making genuine attempts.

Scamacca ended up joining West Ham after PSG were not willing to pay Sassuolo’s €50 million asking price, while Lewandowski was only interested in signing for Barcelona and Manchester United had no intention of selling Rashford.

To make matters worse, the left-wing spot is currently occupied by Neymar, a player who Mbappe allegedly asked PSG to sell, however the club ended up taking up the option to extend his contract.

Mbappe and Neymar are believed to have a strained relationship and their hostility has often leaked onto the pitch, with the duo having argued over taking set-pieces and even ignoring each other in attacks.

PSG looking to sign striker in 2023

PSG are believed to be prioritising the signing of a new striker next summer in the hopes of appeasing Mbappe and they have been linked with a move for Inter’s Lautaro Martinez.

However, Martinez has shown no indication of wanting to leave Inter, having only signed a new contract until 2026 last year and PSG may have to break the bank to sign him.

Kylian Mbappe sets the record straight 😤 pic.twitter.com/YOneYvNrWg
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 17, 2022

The French side are also concerned over potentially losing both Mbappe and Lionel Messi in the same window, with the Argentine believed to be keen on a return to Barcelona when his contract expires next summer.

Mbappe, meanwhile, will only have one guaranteed year left on his contract next summer as his third and final year is a player option, meaning PSG may have to cash in on him to avoid losing him for free in 2024 if he is still adamant on leaving.