Liverpool were the front-runners to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe in the summer transfer window last year, claims The Athletic. The Reds would have had to pay a record fee to sign the Frenchman as a possible replacement for the departed Sadio Mane.
Liverpool Were Offered Kylian Mbappe Signing by PSG
Mbappe Swift in Rejecting Liverpool Move
The Ligue 1 giants opened the door for Kylian Mbappe to leave the club in the summer window, the Athletic also adds. However, they were not willing to let him leave for Real Madrid – the team he ultimately rejected after seemingly flirting with them for a long period.
It is also added that Mbappe rejected a move to Anfield because he was not willing to make a move to the Premier League side. Liverpool were not going to sign him for a cheap fee anyhow, with PSG reported to be asking for a huge fee of £352 million if the Reds actually wanted to sign him in the summer.
Read More: RB Leipzig Star Josko Gvardiol Dreams of Liverpool Move
Jurgen Klopp’s side were anyhow unlikely to pay that fee, knowing that they would also have to pay Kylian Mbappe some huge wages too. The Frenchman is reportedly receiving wages of £1.3 million per week (according to the New York Times) in his latest PSG contract, which is something which not many other clubs can even afford.
🚨 | Kylian Mbappe reportedly ‘rejected’ a move to Liverpool last summer
A £352m price tag was placed on Mbappé who was told 'any exit would have to be to Liverpool'. Mbappe is said to have 'rejected' this option [@TheAthleticFC via @LivEchoLFC] pic.twitter.com/qXKQPovnO1
— Anfield Agenda (@AnfieldAgenda) January 18, 2023
Liverpool Waited for January to Get Sadio Mane Replacement
The Reds opted against signing a natural replacement for Mane in the summer transfer window, instead trusting Luis Diaz to fill his role in the left wing and signing a new striker in the form of Darwin Nunez. However, due to injuries threatening to disrupt their season, Liverpool were forced into action early in the January transfer window.
Read More: Liverpool Considering Summer Move for Matheus Nunes
They swiftly sealed the signing of PSV forward Cody Gakpo, who is a more natural like-for-like replacement for the Senegalese star as well. The Reds are unlikely to pursue a move for Mbappe if terms like this persist and already have a pretty stacked attacking line when all their players are fully fit.
