Kylian Mbappe spotted laughing with new PSG signing Ousmane Dembele in the stands during club’s goalless draw with Lorient, as Frenchman’s bitter contract stand-off with the Parisian giants continues
Kylian Mbappe was spotted laughing with new PSG signing Ousmane Dembele in the stands as the reigning champions were held to a drab 0-0 draw in their Ligue 1 opener with Lorient on Saturday evening.
Mbappe, Neymar and Marco Verratti were excluded from the Parisian club’s squad for the opening league fixture at the Parc des Princes, with all three keen to navigate their way away from the French giants.
On Friday, PSG boss Luis Enrique said he was hopeful of a solution to the ongoing contract dispute between the club and the French star, despite Mbappe declaring that he would be happy to sit the season on the sidelines rather than being sold.
TNT Sports – the broadcast partner of the French top-flight in the UK – posted footage of the Frenchman’s lighthearted moment, with the caption: ‘Kylian Mbappe is creasing in the stands’.
He certainly seemed to be enjoying himself in the audience – which is more than can be said for the team, who were held to a goalless draw by Lorient, who finished in 10th place last season.
Kylian Mbappe watched on from the stands as PSG were held to a goalless draw by Lorient
Mbappe was with new signing Ousmane Dembele, who has just joined PSG from Barcelona
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Mbappe scored 29 league goals last season, topping the Golden Boot race, but the contract standoff means that he played no part in Saturday’s proceedings.
Instead, he was in the crowd with his brother Ethan.
Mbappe has just one year left on his deal in Paris, and while PSG are keen to sell, he is happy to let his contract run down, with Real Madrid thought to be leading the race to nab him as a free agent next summer.
The uncertainty amongst some of the senior players is making Enrique’s start to managerial life in Paris extremely difficult, as he looks to get his squad in shape to win the Champions League.
Dembele joined PSG from Barcelona on Saturday, but was not acquired in time to feature during the scoreless draw. Enrique will view the winger as a potential Mbappe replacement.
PSG struggled to break down a well-organized Lorient, who hit the post from midfielder Laurent Abergel’s shot in the 43rd minute.
Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio and Goncalo Ramos all had their PSG debuts in the game, but made little difference to the final outcome.
After the frustration of the opening draw, PSG’s next league encounter is a trip to Toulouse next Saturday.
Luis Enrique’s unsettled side were frustrated by Lorient, and travel to Toulouse next weekend
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