Liverpool still have a "slim hope" of signing Kylian Mbappe, claims a new report.
Mbappe has continued to hit the headlines over his future this week. The France talisman informed Paris Saint-Germain that he would not be extending his contract ahead of its expiry next summer.
Mbappe signed a new contract with PSG in the summer of 2022 that, despite being called a three-year deal at the time, transpired to be for two years with the option of a third. It came after the striker seemed set to join long-term suitors Real Madrid.
According to the Spanish outlet Marca, the Reds have always looked like Los Blancos' main rivals to sign the former Monaco man, who has been dubbed the "jewel in the crown" for the Santiago Bernabeu club.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez squad number could change as 'exclusive' Liverpool list explained
READ MORE: Liverpool could sign 'next Sergio Busquets' for £11.7m after transfer rule change
Marca, assessing Real's potential rivals for Mbappe, write: "The English side tried everything to convince the French player two seasons ago, but were eventually ruled out by Mbappe himself in favour of the Spanish side. Now they are a weakened team and out of the Champions League after a season to forget.
"The Europa League does not look like the ideal tournament for Mbappe, who is obsessed with lifting 'La Orejona' once and for all. The only slim hope is that the Frenchman will wait another year and head to Anfield in 2024."
Mbappe, who is set to become a free agent in 2024, confirmed he held discussions with Liverpool prior to rejecting Madrid and putting pen to paper on a new contract in Paris ahead of the 2022/23 season, telling the Telegraph: “We talked a little bit, but not too much. We talked a little bit.“
Recently, outgoing director of research at Anfield, Ian Graham, revealed that Mbappe is financially out of the Reds' league, with Real Madrid and the Parisiens among the clubs dominating the market with their financial wealth.
"Any statistical model will tell you that Kylian Mbappe is the best player in Europe at the moment," Graham said via The Guardian. "But unfortunately, financially, he’s out of Liverpool’s league. We’re looking for the best-performing players per pound."
READ NEXT:
