Liverpool have emerged as shock contenders to sign Paris Saint-Germain outcast Kylian Mbappe, according to The Mirror.
The Frenchman has been left out of PSG’s pre-season tour after refusing to sign a new contract in the capital and reports have emerged that he has an agreement to join Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.
Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi is reportedly unwilling to lose his prized asset for free and is seeking to offload the World Cup winner this year and he has already accepted a world-record bid of £259million from Al Hilal.
But Mbappe has refused to enter into negotiations with the Saudi Pro League side and has doubts about moving there during the peak years of his career.
Another option for PSG would be to send him out on loan for the upcoming season and Liverpool fancy themselves as a possible destination for the 24-year-old.
The Reds believe a short-term deal would suit all parties — allowing Mbappe to get out of France and satisfying the player’s wish to join Madrid for free next year.
It would also please the selling club, who would likely require a sizeable loan fee and coverage of Mbappe’s wages as part of any deal.
The report claims that Mbappe respects Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, and is open to the move, while his agent — and mother, a Liverpool fan — is also keen.
The Liverpool Echo claim that the Reds have remained in negotiations with Southampton over a deal for midfielder Romeo Lavia despite seeing an initial bid rejected.
Transfer expert Nicolo Schira reports that Atalanta are interested in Nottingham Forest forward Emmanuel Dennis as a replacement for Manchester United-bound Rasmus Hojlund.
West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca has agreed to join Roma on loan with an option to buy according to Calciomercato.