Liverpool isn’t signing Kylian Mbappé. Or it’s planning talks to do so. Or he’s already agreed a deal with Real Madrid. Depending on your news outlet of choice, those have been the stories within the last 24 hours alone.
The most promising update from a Liverpool perspective came from Le10Sport, which stated that Liverpool ‘will hold talks’ to sign Mbappé. Hope also comes from The Times, which claims he is ‘unimpressed’ by Real Madrid seeking to force the issue this month, and wants to explore Premier League options.
Amid all the politics and the to-and-fro, there’s still an overwhelming sense that he eventually ends up at Real Madrid. But all of the reports have an unsteady consensus that the offer on the table from the Spanish capital is not what it was a couple of years ago, perhaps opening the door a crack to other suitors.
Of course, even if that proves to be true, there’s no guarantee that Liverpool would be the one on the scene. Real Madrid might not be willing and able to match the wages of PSG, but the chain moves further down, and Anfield bosses would probably have a lower maximum figure in mind.
From the financial side, you’d expect Manchester City to be involved if Mbappé is eyeing up the Premier League. But in fact, Pep Guardiola may be hoping more than anything that his old foe Real Madrid can complete the transfer.
According to AS, Real Madrid is ready to turn its attention to Erling Haaland if it cannot complete a move for Mbappé. The player would, it says, leave ‘tomorrow’, such is his eagerness to join.
Furthermore, the mechanism for such a transfer is clear. Defying convention at most big English sides, Manchester City consented to insert a release clause into Haaland’s contract — and the Spanish outlet has learned that it is ‘much closer’ to $110m (£86m/€100m) than $220m (£172m/€200m).
The release clause is essentially halved for non-domestic suitors, really opening up the path for Real Madrid to make a move. So if Liverpool was to pull off the impossible and lure Mbappé, it could be a double blow for its domestic rival.
