Kylian Mbappe transfer U-turn as Liverpool look to land bargain deal

The latest Liverpool transfer news and rumours during the January window.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Today’s training session for Liverpool will be one full of joy for the 18-year-old Harvey Elliott who has returned to Anfield for the first time in 128 days following his ankle injury.

His return to training comes on the same day as five senior members of the squad are notably absent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After making fast progress on his injury sustained during a Premier League match against Leeds United back in September, Elliott will no doubt return to full match fitness in an equally short space of time.

Thiago, Divock Origi, Joel Matip and Curtis Jones were all absent from the Kirkby training session. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was also not present following his ankle injury on Sunday 16 January 2022.

The return of Elliott to the squad will come as a sigh of relief for Jurgen Klopp who looks set to lose out on signing the Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.

Elliott returns to Liverpool training following ankle injuryElliott returns to Liverpool training following ankle injury
Elliott returns to Liverpool training following ankle injury

Equally, there have been recent reports that while Liverpool are hopeful of eyeing up a deal for Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho, the Reds relationship with the Cottagers is likely to make this much trickier than it could be worth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, former Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez, has been reportedly linked with a move which would see him reunited with two other former Liverpool icons.

The Atletico Madrid star may soon reject a number of clubs who have shown interest with the intention of joining forces with Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho at Aston Villa.

Here is all the latest on the Liverpool transfer news…

Where is Kylian Mbappe headed?

The French international had been linked with a potential move to Anfield, but it has been reported that his current club, Paris Saint-Germain, are much more interested in strengthening their own bid to retain one of their star strikers.

The Express have reported that PSG will be hoping to achieve their first-ever Champions League Trophy after they fell short in the 2020 final against Bayern Munich.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A second-half goal from Kingsley Coman secured a 1-0 win for the German side and denied the Parisian football club a Champions League Trophy once more.

Mbappe seems unlikely to over to Anfield following PSG renewal talksMbappe seems unlikely to over to Anfield following PSG renewal talks
Mbappe seems unlikely to over to Anfield following PSG renewal talks

In order for PSG to achieve this dream, they will require key players already within their squad, as well as potential targets.

The Express continues by saying that PSG are in talks with the Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

The current leaders of the French Ligue 1 will also need to secure Mbappe if they are to aim for the Champions League. The 23-year-old striker has previously been linked with Real Madrid and Liverpool but PSG are keen to send out the message they want the forward to stay.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mbappe, who is entering the final six months of his contract, is understood to be considering signing a new contract with his club while Real Madrid and Liverpool will sit patiently waiting for the summer transfer window.

The striker, who has scored 14 goals in the 2021/22 season in 29 appearances, told Clubs interested that he would not make a move mid-season, but it is now becoming increasingly likely that he will not make a move away from Paris any time in the near future.

Can Liverpool land a bargain deal?

Jurgen Klopp and his fellow staff are reportedly eyeing up a potential signing with Fabio Carvalho, according to reports.

The Daily Star reports that the 19-year-old Portuguese ace, Carvalho, is not only wanted by Liverpool but has been eyed up by fellow Londoners, West Ham.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carvalho has scored seven goals whilst also assisting two goals in the Championship for Fulham. His contract is set to expire in the summer and it is unlikely that he will renew with the Cottagers.

Despite his evident talent, Liverpool are reportedly ready to make a bid worth only £5 million putting Fulham in a tricky situation. Either they risk losing the striker for nothing in the summer, or take just a small sum for a player potentially worth much more.

Rules state that Clubs are entitled to compensation if they lose a player under the age of 24 for nothing after they have developed and trained them.

In 2019, Fulham demanded £7 million for Elliott which Liverpool refused citing the Professional Football Compensation Committee rule and priced the teenager at an initial £1.5m with a further £2.8m in future payments as well as a 20% sell-on clause.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As a result of this, Liverpool will never likely be at the top of the queue for future transfers and Fulham may much prefer sending Carvalho over to their London rivals rather than Anfield.

Will Luis Suarez reunite with Steven Gerrard?

The Daily Star has also reported that the former Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez, may link up with former teammates Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho once more as he looks to head to Aston Villa.

The 34-year-old was at Liverpool between 2011 and 2014 and scored 69 times in 110 matches.

Including his infamous controversies at Anfield, Suarez won the PFA Player of the Year Award in 2014, becoming the first non-European to win the award as well as being named the Football Association Writers Player of the Year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

2014 also saw the Uruguayan player win the Premier League Golden Boot having scored 31 goals in 33 matches.

Gerrard, left, and Suarez celebrate in 2013Gerrard, left, and Suarez celebrate in 2013
Gerrard, left, and Suarez celebrate in 2013

Suarez is now with Atletico Madrid but has been continuing to attract attention from multiple other clubs. He has reportedly snubbed offers from the Brazilian sides Palmeiras, Corinthians and Atletico Mineiro as he hopes to feature at Villa Park.

The Villa manager and former Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard will likely sign a deal with his former teammate in the summer, after Suarez’s contract is up.

Gerrard convinced the striker to stay at Liverpool for another year in 2013, and two years later said: “I don’t think anyone ever looks forward to playing against Luis Suarez, he is a fantastic talent and a very dangerous player.

“He is a fantastic team-mate, probably the best player I have played with. He’s a good guy, a family man away from the pitch, we keep in touch and have supported each other throughout our careers.”