EXCL: What next for Mbappe after explosive PSG press conference? Plus why Liverpool left the race for Thuram and top clubs circling for Lyon talents

Our man in France looks at this week's big stories on Mbappe, Thuram, Barcola, and more.

What Nasser Al-Khelaifi’s outburst means for Kylian Mbappe

It turned out to be a pretty intriguing press conference at PSG yesterday as they unveiled Luis Enrique as their new manager, with Nasser Al-Khelaifi not holding back as he discussed the tense Kylian Mbappe situation.

To be honest, I’m not too surprised by the tone Al-Khelaifi took, because it pretty much sums up the weak position PSG have put themselves in. While I can understand PSG not wanting to lose Mbappe on a free transfer - no one would want to lose a player of his quality for nothing - but, equally, it reflects how desperate PSG were to tie Mbappe down and keep him out of Real Madrid’s clutches just over 12 months ago.

I still stand by what I’ve said before - I see Mbappe seeing out this season at PSG and leaving after the Olympics in 2024, that’s always seemed the logical finishing point for his story in France. It’s now just a question of which side caves in first.