PSG accuse Mbappe of 'SABOTAGE' as Saudi Pro League prepares transfer bid

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 22 Jul 2023 09:38 BST
• 4 min read

PSG are set to field an offer from the Saudi Pro League for superstar attacker Kylian Mbappe, who some in the Ligue 1 outfit believe are trying to “sabotage” the club.

Mbappe has been dramatically dropped from PSG’s pre-season tour of Japan, with the club effectively putting him up for sale with this action. President Nasser Al-Khelaifi had stated previously that anyone not going on that trip is not in the team’s plans for the season ahead.

Real Madrid are widely thought to be leading the race to sign the player, with reports in France even indicating that PSG believe there is already an agreement in place between Los Blancos and Mbappe for a free transfer next summer.

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PSG do not want to lose the player for nothing and are ready to sell him immediately. Madrid, though, are unlikely to be able to afford the type of sum that the Parisians will demand, placing some doubt over the striker’s future.

According to CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs, there is even a sense that Mbappe is deliberately harming his club and that the Ligue 1 champions are acting in self-defence with this move.

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“PSG are acting in keeping with a new philosophy at the club. Nasser Al-Khelaifi is not prepared to stand for player power. It's believed PSG feel they must take this course of action to protect the club. Some are convinced Mbappe is trying to sabotage the club,” he tweeted.

Jacobs also reports that Mbappe failed to give PSG notice of his intentions for next season by a 15 July deadline that was set internally by the club. With the player having given no feedback, the club assumes that he wants to leave.

Saudi Pro League to make Mbappe transfer offer

PSG have already fielded enquiries for Mbappe from clubs this summer, but a fresh bid is expected to come from the Saudi Pro League.

Jacobs, who has strong connections in the Gulf, explains: “Understand Saudi dealmakers are prepared to make an offer for Kylian Mbappe this summer even if they only get him for one season and then he joined Real.

“Mbappe’s plan is to stay in Europe so a difficult transfer to pull off. PSG would have no issue selling to Saudi.”

PSG have yet to set a transfer fee for Mbappe, who is the second most expensive player in history behind only teammate Neymar.