Liverpool have been linked with an astonishing swoop to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain after Real Madrid withdrew from the race.
Real have reportedly made the decision not to pursue Mbappe in the summer, when he will be available on a free transfer. They have pursued the France international for multiple windows, but believe that his contractual demands and the deal he is currently on make him unattainable.
A new report from AS, via Sport Witness, claims that Mbappe wants as much as €35 million (£30.5m/$38m) per year after tax, which equates to a weekly wage of £586,000 ($728,000). He would also require around €100m (£87m/$108m) as a signing-on fee. Liverpool were linked with a move as recently as last summer.
Mbappe has been a Real Madrid fan since childhood and one famous image of the striker as a boy shows him surrounded by posters of Cristiano Ronaldo in his bedroom. However, while it seemed certain that he would end up in Spain eventually, a move to England is also now on the cards.
Mbappe is likely to be involved as France face Gibraltar and Greece in the international break. He will next play for PSG on November 24, against Monaco.
Goal