Liverpool could be tantalizingly close to no longer having to endure speculation about the future of Kylian Mbappé. It seems he may have agreed a transfer that would finally see him leave PSG.
It’s a rumor Jürgen Klopp once admitted he and the Liverpool staff ‘laugh’ about (Sky Germany). But as Mbappé’s deal in the French capital has ticked into its final six months, the mostly dormant story has surged back to prominence.
A more realistic question is whether Liverpool will conduct January business of any kind. Klopp’s side is now into the fourth round of the FA Cup, having knocked out a key rival for the trophy, and it begins a two-legged League Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Meanwhile, it sits top of the Premier League and has secured a bye through the Europa League play-off round — in short, opportunity knocks.
Pushing for an even better quadruple in 2022, Liverpool signed Luis Díaz, who was ultimately instrumental in delivering two of those trophies. The Colombian has come back into form just in time to potentially repeat that trick himself, but there’s the temptation to dip into the market again.
At the same time, Klopp will be keeping an eye on the business of rivals, and one Manchester City deal appears to have hit the rocks. Here is the Liverpool.com take on some of the biggest stories around European football today ahead of the midweek clash with Fulham.
Kylian Mbappé ‘agrees transfer’ – and it’s not to Liverpool
Liverpool might have elbowed its way into the gossip columns, but Mbappé and Real Madrid always looked as though it was a pairing waiting to happen. The Spanish giant has repeatedly courted him, and it has long since been presumed that the end of his PSG contract would bring a move to La Liga.
Now, according to Foot Mercato, Mbappé has finally agreed terms on that transfer. The decision was reached ‘a few days ago’.
Of course, Real Madrid has been under the impression it has reached an agreement with Mbappé in the past, only to be on the end of a surprise U-turn. But as the French outlet puts it, ‘the soap opera will be able to end’ as things stand.
Juventus backs away from Man City deal
All eyes will be on whether Manchester City uses the January transfer window to strengthen the first team, having already welcomed back Kevin De Bruyne from injury. That would be a potentially daunting prospect.
But the immediate focus is sales, and specifically getting Kalvin Phillips off the books. It has long since been clear that he does not have the backing of Pep Guardiola, and the former Leeds man has finally accepted his fate.
Juventus looked like a promising suitor. But according to Fabrizio Romano, the Italians now have ‘no intention to proceed’, as talks with Manchester City over a loan fee and salary coverage proved unproductive. Newcastle remains an interested party, and other clubs could get involved.
