Liverpool have been dealt a potential blow in their reported pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
The Reds have been linked with the France international on and off over the past couple of years. Speculation surrounding the future of Mbappe has seemingly never failed to quieten down, despite him signing a new contract earlier this year.
The France international put pen to paper on fresh terms with PSG that run until 2024, with the option of a further year. It also reportedly saw him handed a significant pay increase and given major responsibilities regarding the way the Ligue 1 club is run.
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But it was reported last month that Mbappe would be prepared to leave PSG, despite only recently signing his new deal. With reports of the 23-year-old's future emerging yet again in recent weeks, the latest one involves one of Liverpool’s biggest rivals. The Mirror claim that Manchester United could make a move for the striker.
It has been reported that United are weighing up whether to splash in excess of £150m to sign Mbappe in the January transfer window. This, the report says, is because of the recent interview involving Cristiano Ronaldo.
The report says that the Red Devils were originally planning to bring in a new striker next summer, when Ronaldo’s current deal is set to expire. However, his interview conducted with Piers Morgan on Talk TV has led the Old Trafford club to move forward their plans to bring in a replacement for the Portuguese international.
Mbappe was thought to be close to moving to Real Madrid in the summer, before signing his new deal at PSG. He would later admit that Liverpool do hold a special connection with him and his family.
"We talked a little bit, but not too much. We talked a little bit," Mbappe told The Telegraph in May of this year.
He added: "I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum, my mum loves Liverpool. I don’t know why, you will have to ask her!
“It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club.”
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