Liverpool are now believed to be favourites to sign PSG star Kylian Mbappe as his contract expires in June. He is allowed to start speaking to other clubs in January and the Reds are one of the clubs heavily interested.
Why are Liverpool now favourites?
Real Madrid have been trying to sign Mbappe for an eternity and a deal has just never quite materialised between the two. Real Madrid even threatened legal action against PSG for a failed transfer last summer.
Mbappe’s time at PSG is near as it’s understood he believes the club isn’t the right place to win the Champions League and the Ballon d’or.
L’Equipe journalist Loic Tansi told talkSport that Liverpool are now favourites to sign the 24-year-old as Real Madrid have lost interest after falling out with the club and player.
Tanzi said: “Liverpool wanted him when he was playing for Monaco. Klopp went to see him and they were negotiating while they were on the plane.
“The relationship between him, Liverpool, and Klopp is there. I think they have a chance. If Madrid decide to let him go, and they don’t want him anymore, I think Liverpool have a chance.”
Mbappe’s aspirations
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is known for building strong relationships with players. Mbappe’s only concerns should be are that Liverpool currently are not in Champions League football but no doubt that will change come May. Also, the Ballon d’or award usually favours non-Premier League players. Michael Owen is the only player during the Premier League era to have won it.
Tanzi added: “Mbappe loves Paris Saint-Germain. He’s a young man from the area around Paris.
“If you asked me the question during the summer, I would say 100 per cent he would leave at the end of the season.
“I’m not so sure now – because winning the Champions League here in Paris is more important than winning the Champions League in Madrid.
“Winning just one Champions League here is more important than winning two or three at Madrid or Liverpool, for example, because we know Liverpool want him as well.
“So I think they can convince him to stay – because the new project is built around him. That’s what he wants. He wants more responsibility.
“He wants to feel that the club can do it. If he does not think they can win the Champions League, he will leave.”
PSG’s form is declining rapidly. Once a feared side; PSG have faced 4-1 and 2-1 away defeats to Newcastle and AC Milan. PSG’s Champions League fate relies on them going to Borussia Dortmund and winning.
PSG have also never won the Champions League compared to Liverpool being six time winners.
Salah out, Mbappe in?
Liverpool’s fifth all time leading goalscorer, Mohamed Salah, was heavily linked to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad in a move worth over £200m. Despite Salah agreeing to go, Liverpool weren’t willing to sell Salah without a replacement.
Al-Ittihad will surely be back in the January transfer market and the question is; how long can they hold onto Salah for? Liverpool can’t deny that the money is good and Salah will be turning 32 in June.
Salah is a right winger and Mbappe is known to be a central striker but Liverpool have many versatile players to fill Salah’s position if Liverpool wanted to go for Mbappe.
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