PSG coach Luis Enrique hoping for Mbappe ‘agreement’

Paris Saint-Germain’s head coach Luis Enrique gives a press conference following his team’s training session in Poissy, outside Paris, on August 11, 2023. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

Luis Enrique said Friday he hoped “an agreement can be found” with Kylian Mbappe as Paris Saint-Germain look set to open their Ligue 1 campaign without the French superstar.

The former Barcelona and Spain boss is preparing for his first season in charge at PSG after replacing Christophe Galtier in July.

“This situation has already existed (between PSG and Mbappe),” the Spaniard told a pre-match press conference in Paris ahead of his team’s Ligue 1 opener against Lorient on Saturday.

“A positive solution had been found with the club before my arrival. I hope that the club and the player will find an agreement.

“I remind you of the philosophy of the club, which wants to be above everything, players, staff.”

PSG are bolstering their attacking options with the futures of Mbappe and Neymar still uncertain, with both missing training on Friday.

Luis Enrique confirmed that France international Ousmane Dembele’s arrival from Barcelona is “99 percent” done.

“Dembele is not yet a PSG player legally, 100 percent no, but 99 percent. There is still one paragraph left in the contract,” the Spaniard said.

The 26-year-old Dembele, who was part of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad along with Mbappe, is not available to face Lorient at the Parc des Princes.

On Tuesday, Barca coach Xavi confirmed the departure of the forward, who would be the French champions’ ninth summer signing, after defenders Milan Skriniar and Lucas Hernandez, midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Cher Ndour, forwards Marco Asensio, Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos and goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.

Mbappe’s