Kylian Mbappe and Luis Enrique hold 'clear-the-air' talks over PSG role
- Mbappe has been subbed off in each of the last two games
- The forward is set to leave Paris in the summer when his contract expires
- Real Madrid expected to seal deal for his signature
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has held clear-the-air talks with Kylian Mbappe after hooking the star forward at half-time during a 0-0 draw with Monaco, according to a report.
Mbappe recently confirmed to PSG that he intends to leave the club upon the expiration of his current deal in June - deciding against taking up an option to sign a one-year extension at the Parc des Princes.
Since that news broke, reports have consistently stated that the forward is all-but-set to join Real Madrid in the summer. A five-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu, earning €15m per year and receiving a whopping €150m signing-on bonus to be paid over five years, has been suggested.
With the forward set to leave PSG, manager Enrique has seemingly been keen to not centre his recent tactical plans around his star striker. After surprisingly not starting Mbappe in a recent 2-0 win over Nantes, Enrique proceeded to substitute the forward one hour into a 1-1 draw with Rennes and at half-time in a 0-0 draw with Monaco.
After he left the Monaco game, Mbappe stirred up even more controversy by getting changed and heading up into the stands to sit with his representatives, rather than remain on the bench with the rest of the players.
With tensions seemingly building, ESPN report that Mbappe and Enrique have engaged in 'clear-the-air' talks after the forward expressed his unhappiness with his current role at the club.
Enrique is said to have told Mbappe that the decisions were made for tactical reasons and not for any retribution for opting to leave PSG in the summer.
That being said, Enrique has repeatedly stressed publicly that PSG must adapt to life without Mbappe at some point.
"I have been in football long enough, you should know that everything is important in this kind of club," Enrique said. "Sooner or later, we will play without Mbappe so I'm looking for the best option for the team.
"Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong. We need to get used to it [playing without Mbappe]. I will do what is best for my team. I don't want to create controversy, it's my decision."
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