Real Madrid SHOCKED by Mbappe drama despite PSG claims

Tom Weber

• Updated: 22 Jul 2023 14:50 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid were caught off guard by Paris Saint-Germain's decision to axe Kylian Mbappe, according to Spanish media.

The French giants decided to leave the 24-year-old in France for their Japan tour because he refused to communicate a decision on his future. Mbappe has now been officially transfer listed by PSG and they are looking for potential takers.

This drama was initially set off by Mbappe's refusal to trigger his contract extension, thus becoming a free agent next summer. Under no circumstances do PSG want to let their star man leave for nothing, so Nasser Al-Khelaifi gave Mbappe a deadline by which to make a final decision on his contract situation.

READ: Chelsea interested in Mbappe as PSG receive €200m bid they will accept

Now, Mbappe has been exiled from the first-team squad, a judgment also informed by PSG's suspicion that the Frenchman already has an agreement with Real Madrid for a move in 2024. According to Spanish media, however, this is far from the truth.

Real 'surprised by the news'

COPE claims that the news of PSG exiling Mbappe has 'surprised Real Madrid.' Mbappe was part of the advertising campaign for the Japan tour - which is set to earn PSG at least €20 million - so the decision to leave him out of the trip caught Madrid off guard.

Los Blancos have been keeping a watchful eye on the situation, but they have refrained from making any public statements on the matter after being left with egg on their face last year when Mbappe was close to joining only to sign a new deal with the Parisians.

READ: Mbappe's best transfer options from Real Madrid to Liverpool

Real 'follow all the movements from afar and they are not going to move any piece on the chessboard until Mbappe and PSG resolve their conflicts.' They believe that the relationship between Mbappe and PSG is broken and that his removal from the team will make any rapprochement impossible.