Liverpool are reportedly holding out hope that they will be able to complete an audacious swoop for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe next summer.
The France international's future once again dominated headlines in the summer transfer window after it emerged that he had told PSG he would not be activating the 12-month extension option in his contract.
Mbappe committed to a new two-year deal at the Parc des Princes in the summer of 2022, and he is therefore due to leave the club as a free agent next summer if he does not take up his 12-month renewal.
Following the attacker's bombshell decision, PSG did everything in their power to try to sell him over the summer, including banishing him from the first team and accepting a world-record £259m bid for Al-Hilal.
However, Mbappe refused to entertain the idea of a move to Saudi Arabia and has always insisted that he plans to see out the remainder of his Parisiens deal before making a decision on his future next summer.
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The former Monaco starlet was eventually welcomed back into the main group by Luis Enrique, but his contract situation remains unresolved, and he will be walking away for nothing in 2024 as things stand.
A free transfer to Real Madrid still appears to be the most feasible option for Mbappe, who has been the subject of serious interest from Los Blancos for the past two summer transfer windows.
However, French outlet L'Equipe claims that Liverpool are also in the picture, having previously been linked with an approach for the 24-year-old before he penned fresh terms in the French capital last year.
Liverpool would be unlikely to pursue a deal for Mbappe if there was a transfer fee involved, but the possibility of snapping the World Cup winner up as a free agent has allegedly put Anfield chiefs on red alert.
The Merseyside giants are even said to be optimistic of bringing the forward to the Premier League, as they have remained in constant contact with his agents since trying and failing to sign him in 2017.
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Nevertheless, the report adds that it would still be a "surprise" to see Mbappe don the Liverpool jersey next year, and Real Madrid remains his likeliest destination should he call it quits at PSG in 2024.
Since bursting onto the scene at Monaco, Mbappe has scored a club-record 224 goals in 272 games for PSG, usurping Edinson Cavani at the top of the charts last season, in addition to nine assists.
Amid the constant noise surrounding his next career move, the 24-year-old has started the 2023-24 season in typically ruthless fashion, scoring 12 goals in 12 games across the Premier League and Champions League.
Mbappe's possible arrival at Liverpool could have implications on the future of Mohamed Salah, who was pursued relentlessly by Al-Ittihad over the summer, but Liverpool insisted he was not for sale and turned down a £150m bid.
Salah is still contracted to the Reds until 2025, but Jurgen Klopp's side will be braced for future offers from Saudi Pro League clubs in January or at the end of the season.
Ben Knapton
