PSG
Will Luis Enrique keep Neymar at PSG?
The Brazilian could become a key part of Luis Enrique’s PSG side. Mbappé, if nothing changes, will rejoin the squad on 17 July.
Luis Enrique’s PSG returned to work on Monday, although the Spanish coach’s first training session will take place on Tuesday morning. The squad reported for training with the exception of the international players, including Kylian Mbappé, who will travel to Algeria in the coming days and will not return until 17 July.
Neymar Jr, who returned to Paris from his holiday in Brazil on Sunday will follow a specific plan to ensure that the ankle injury he suffered in February, which forced him to undergo surgery because of ligament damage, heals. On Monday he underwent tests and from Tuesday he will train on his own.
The Brazilian star will meet with the Asturian coach on Tuesday. Together the pair won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015. Last Wednesday, during his presentation as PSG coach, Luis Enrique acknowledged that he had “not spoken to anyone in the squad”, but the former Spain boss and the Brazilian forward will have a conversation that could be decisive for the player’s future.
Neymar, who will not be part of the squad’s ball drills for another ten days, will be part of the PSG squad that will leave for Japan on 22 July for their Asian tour.
Mbappé's future
Luis Enrique does not know if he will be able to count on Mbappé. At his official unveiling, he left the future of the French star up in the air. The forward, after a trip to Cameroon, his father’s country, will travel to Algeria to visit the country of his mother, Fayza Lamari. Lamari is calling the shots in negotiations with the club and is not willing for her son to give up a loyalty bonus of $88 million.
On 17 July, Mbappé will train with PSG unless an agreement is reached on his sale. If he refuses to train, he will be indirectly rejecting the loyalty bonus that the Ligue 1 club must pay him, half of which ($44 million), will be paid into his bank account on 31 July. That is why PSG want to sell him before August if he does not sign a new contract. Luis Enrique, for his part, is awaiting developments to try to build the most ambitious and competitive squad possible.
Concerns over Neymar’s condition
According to L’Équipe, the first tests that Neymar has undergone since his ankle injury have cast doubt over his return to the top level. It remains to be seen if he features against Le Havre on 21 July, in the club’s first pre-season friendly.