‘He really liked Liverpool’: Journalist understands £200m player does like idea of Anfield move

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Kylian Mbappé ‘really liked’ the idea of a Liverpool move this year, says Julien Laurens. The Frenchman wants to leave PSG in January.

News broke on Tuesday that Kylian Mbappé wants a move away from Paris Saint-Germain. The striker feels there have been broken promises at the club and requests a transfer for January.

But where could he go? French journalist Julien Laurens talked to CBS Sports about the deal, going over potential moves to Real Madrid and Liverpool.

“Real Madrid I think are still his preference, of course,” said Laurens. “I think they have the money but will they be ready to pay that in January when they could have had him for free five months ago if he hadn’t made the mistake of extending his deal with PSG? I don’t know.

“English clubs? Of course. I think he really liked Liverpool but they can’t afford him right now. I mean, they can’t afford the transfer fee or the wages. We can’t forget, he’s the highest-paid footballer in the world right now.

“It’s a lot of ‘ifs’ and a lot of numbers but he’s certainly going to push for a move in January.”

Kylian Mbappé and a Liverpool move

Laurens believes Mbappé could cost as much as £200m if PSG were to sell in January. The player has two years left on his contract, with the option for a third, this the Parisians are in a strong position.

And at that price – no, Liverpool won’t sign him. We do think Laurens has it wrong on the wages, though. Yes, Mbappé is the highest-paid player on the planet but there’s zero chance he expects a similar salary at a new club. He knows full well that his current wages are a one-time thing found only at PSG. His transfer request is an acknowledgement that the wages aren’t his priority here.

So could Liverpool make a move? Well, on the one hand, it’s too crazy to even think about. On the other, they should absolutely think about it.