PSG's Neymar and Verratti excluded, players seek new opportunities

Posted : 10 August 2023

Reports emerging from France indicate that Brazilian star Neymar is among a group of five key senior players who have received communication from Luis Enrique regarding their exclusion from the team's plans for the upcoming season.

This further extends Luis Enrique's strategic restructuring at PSG. In addition to Neymar, Marco Verratti is also one of the quintet of players, who have been integral to the core of the French powerhouse, informed that they are free to seek opportunities with other teams as early as this summer.

This development comes amidst the backdrop of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Kylian Mbappe's future, as relations between the player and the club have frayed, prompting speculation on when and how his tenure at PSG will conclude.

The Parisian club's once-stable foundation has experienced fault lines recently, with the departure of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami serving as a precursor. The subsequent friction involving the team's star striker represents the next chapter in this upheaval.

Enrique's communication with Neymar, Verratti, Hugo Ekitike, Juan Bernat, and Renato Sanchez regarding their exclusion from his plans appears to be the final piece of the puzzle for those who were yet to discern the shifting paradigm.

RMC Sport, a French sports website, reported that discussions have already taken place between the aforementioned players and the management, with individual notifications being delivered to each player to outline their status.

Neymar initially rebuffed the idea of departing, but it seems that mutual interest has developed over time, especially following an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal amounting to approximately €80 million per season. However, the divergence in valuations between PSG (demanding €150 million per season) and the offered fee could potentially scuttle the deal.

In recent days, reports have surfaced about Neymar's inclination to return to Barcelona. Yet, this prospect faces obstacles, including the financial constraints faced by the Catalan club, which struggles to meet his high salary demands (€30 million per season) and the transfer fees required to secure his return from Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar, at 31 years old, might need to significantly reduce his wage expectations and hope for PSG to forego the transfer fee. While reports suggest Neymar's willingness to make concessions, PSG's response seems unlikely to align with Barcelona's wishes.

Turning to Kylian Mbappe's situation, the striker has been absent from team training for an extended period and continues to resist signing a contract extension, even with a "modest" release clause of approximately €200 million on the table. PSG has entertained offers from a Saudi team and an English club interested in his services.

However, as Mbappe eyes a move to Real Madrid, negotiations have yet to reach a resolution. With the season's conclusion approaching, PSG has made it clear that they will not hesitate to enact their previously stated ultimatum: "If he remains, he will not play a single minute."

PSG's Neymar and Verratti excluded, players seek new opportunities

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