Klopp laughs off Mbappe talk but admits Liverpool could 'surprise' him with transfer
Suraj Radia
- 31 Jul 2023 18:56 BST
- 3 min read
Jurgen Klopp has laughed off the possibility of signing Kylian Mbappe this summer after being linked with a sensational move for the Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Mbappe has been told he must leave PSG this summer after announcing his intention to see out his contract with the Ligue 1 side and depart on a free transfer next year.
PSG’s Qatari owners are desperate to cash in on Mbappe now to avoid a huge financial fair play loss but the 24-year-old has no desire to leave, despite links from the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham.
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Liverpool have also been credited with an interest but Klopp insisted the finances behind signing the highest-paid player in the world amused him and joked that the club could ‘surprise’ him with a move for Mbappe.
“We laugh about it!” Klopp told Sky Germany after being asked about the rumours. “I can say that I think he’s a really good player, but the financial conditions don’t suit us at all.
“I wouldn’t like to ruin the story now, but as far as I know, there’s nothing to it. But it’s possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me, but that hasn’t happened in the eight years that I’ve been here. That would be the first time!”
Liverpool’s historic interest in Mbappe
Liverpool have monitored the possibility of signing Mbappe for a long-time, having considered the prospect when the 24-year-old was due to leave on a free last summer.
However, Mbappe opted to renew his deal with PSG, reneging on an agreement to join Real Madrid in the process, and he is expected to join the Spaniards next summer when his current contract expires.
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PSG are adamant Mbappe must leave this summer but the French captain turned down the opportunity for talks with Al-Hilal despite the Saudi side having a €300 million offer accepted.
Mbappe will receive half of his €80m loyalty bonus from PSG after remaining at the club past July but speculation over his future is still rife as the French outfit consider their options over their talisman.
