Liverpool are reportedly open to making a substantial offer for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
Throughout this summer, the focus of manager Jurgen Klopp has been to add at least two new central midfielders to his squad, as well as another defender at either right-back or centre-back.
As it stands, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have arrived for what is alleged to be a combined total of £95m, with the pair expecting to be key men in the engine room and final third respectively.
However, Klopp faces the prospect of his midfield being sent into further disarray with each of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson allegedly on the brink of signing for Saudi Arabian clubs.
With replacements and strengthening required elsewhere, the general consensus is that acquiring a new attacker is towards the bottom of Klopp's to-do list for the remainder of the summer.
© Reuters
Nevertheless, according to AS, Liverpool are prepared to make a 'monumental' bid to win the race for Mbappe.
Paris Saint-Germain have been left aghast that their all-time leading goalscorer has publicly stated that he intends to leave Parc des Princes on a free transfer in 2024.
That has led to the 2018 World Cup winner being put up for sale and not included in the club's squad for their upcoming pre-season friendlies, a sign that they wish to facilitate an exit as soon as possible.
Mbappe's stance is said to have remained unchanged, the player currently open to being on the periphery of the squad in order to become a free agent in less than 12 months time.
© Reuters
The scenario has led to interest from elsewhere, Al-Hilal currently viewed as the most likely to meet PSG's demands in what would be viewed as a bigger coup for the Saudi Pro League than acquiring Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chelsea are also said to be assessing whether agreeing a deal for the 24-year-old is plausible when PSG are looking to recoup in the region of £160m.
From Liverpool's perspective, they have only generated minor fees through player sales this summer, something which may prove pivotal despite significantly reducing their wage bill for the time being.
The Merseyside giants are also without Champions League football, instead participating in the Europa League, and it is unclear whether that would prove to be a stumbling block in any negotiations.
Real Madrid remain as the favourites to sign Mbappe, particularly in 2024 with Los Blancos having already shelled out in excess of £100m on Jude Bellingham since the end of last season.
Darren Plant
