PSG reinstate’s Mbappe into first-team squad

After being sidelined for several weeks due to a contract dispute, French superstar Kylian Mbappe was reintroduced to Paris Saint-Germain’s first team on Sunday.

PSG began their Ligue 1 title defense with a goalless draw at home against Lorient on Saturday, as the team’s prize asset sat in the stands.

“The player was reinstated in the first training team this morning following very constructive and positive discussions between Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe prior to the PSG-Lorient match,” PSG said in a statement.

After a summer filled with new arrivals and Lionel Messi’s departure, the Mbappe saga continues to dominate the headlines.

The France captain has refused to sign a contract extension with PSG, allowing him to leave for free next year, with Real Madrid long considered his preferred destination.

PSG want to sell him now and bring in a significant transfer fee for a player who cost 180 million euros ($198 million) from Monaco in 2017.

New coach Luis Enrique on Friday said he hoped a solution could be found, but Mbappe has not been allowed train with the first team and was left out of the squad to face Lorient.

Instead, he sat alongside fellow 2018 World Cup winner Ousmane Dembele, who completed his transfer from Barcelona earlier in the day, as Luis Enrique handed debuts to six players.