Liverpool ready to join bidding war for Mbappe
Klopp will spend big if Frenchman rejects Real Forward putting career before next club’s status
Liverpool will go head-to-head with Arsenal in an attempt to pull off the most spectacular and unexpected transfer in their history should Kylian Mbappé decide to move to England rather than Real Madrid.
The French teenager is now the most in-demand footballer in the world and Jürgen Klopp is determined to be part of the conversation should Monaco agree to sell their star striker before the start of the season.
There is a broad expectation that 18-year-old Mbappé will go to Real Madrid, who have the finances to outbid any competitors. It is rare for any player to reject the overtures of the Bernabéu club once they have been identified as the number one target. It is difficult for any player to say no when Madrid call and French media yesterday reported meetings between Mbappé and Real coach Zinedine Zidane in which he had been assured of a starting place.
But Liverpool, like Arsenal, have investigated whether Mbappé would prefer a move to a Premier League club where he can be guaranteed game time and patience in his development. It is felt career progress rather than a desire to become a galactico is Mbappé’s priority, even if Madrid remain the most likely winners of the pursuit.
Should Mbappé decide it is too soon to move to the Spanish giants, Liverpool are prepared to spend big to get him. Unlike Arsenal, they could be playing in the Champions League this season should they win their qualifying play-off, although they also know Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea would make rival offers.
On Thursday evening, the Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Liverpool had already had two bids for Mbappé rejected.
Anfield sources have been sheepish in their response to these claims. That should be seen in the context of the club’s recent travails in the pursuit of Virgil van Dijk – they dropped it having been accused of tapping him up – rather than an indirect confirmation of their interest because they refused to offer a private or public denial. Liverpool are going through a period of circumspection as they go about their transfer business.
What is certain is that Liverpool have expressed their interest in Mbappé and are prepared to bid for him should the Premier League become his favoured destination. They first made a tentative inquiry last summer but were told there would be no sale, a position Monaco say has not changed.
Some cynics have suggested Liverpool’s interest in Mbappé is little more than a PR move to demonstrate to supporters that the club have the resources to compete for the world’s best players. But the club are more likely to be criticised for failing to sign such players rather than praised for pursuing them.
If anything, the club have sought to douse expectations rather than encourage them. The figures involved exceed anything Liverpool have ever spent on a player. Their transfer record is the initial £36million spent on Mohamed Salah, whose transfer was confirmed on Thursday, whereas Monaco want a world-record fee for Mbappé.
Fenway Sports Group, the Liverpool owner, is realistic enough to know Madrid are in a different ballpark when it comes to attracting players such as Mbappé, but they have always insisted the resources are there to compete for the most coveted players.
Liverpool have not prioritised the signing of a striker this summer, as was reflected in Roberto Firmino being given the club’s No9 jersey following Salah’s signing. However, Klopp feels a gamechanging player such as Mbappé cannot be ignored.