Paris Saint-Germain have left star forward Kylian Mbappe out of their pre-season squad and have allegedly placed the France international up for sale.
The 24-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best players in world football, scoring 212 goals and registering 98 assists in 260 appearances for PSG in all competitions.
Mbappe has also netted 40 times in 70 appearances for France, helping the national side to back-to-back World Cup finals, enjoying success in the 2018 competition followed by frustration in the 2022 Qatar tournament.
There has been widespread uncertainty surrounding the attacker's future, though, as he is not prepared to take up the one-year contract extension in his current deal, meaning that, as it stands, he will be able to leave the French giants on a free transfer next summer.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi made it clear earlier this month that Mbappe would have to sign a new deal with the capital giants in order to remain at the club.
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"My position is very clear. I don't want to repeat it all the time. If Kylian wants to stay, we want him to stay. But he needs to sign a new contract," said the president.
"We don't want to lose the best player in the world on a free. That's impossible. He had said that he would never leave on a free. It's not my fault that he's changed his mind now. We don't want to lose the best player in the world for free. That's very clear."
Mbappe has been left out of the PSG squad that will depart on Saturday for games in Japan and South Korea.
According to Sky Sports News, the French champions only want players on the tour who are committed to the club, and the forward has now been placed up for sale during the current market.
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PSG reportedly believe that Mbappe has already agreed to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer, and the club are determined to receive a huge fee for him.
Real Madrid, who came close to signing Mbappe on a free transfer last year, are the heavy favourites to sign the Frenchman during the current window.
However, according to The Guardian, Premier League teams in the shape of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are likely to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
Mbappe found the back of the net in PSG's 2-0 win over Le Havre on Friday, but he will not be involved in their next four matches and has seemingly played his final game for the club.
The forward was again in excellent form for the Paris outfit last term, scoring 41 goals and registering 10 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.
Matt Law
