Andre of Fluminense and PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe are Liverpool targets in 2024
Liverpool are strong contenders to sign Kylian Mbappe in 2024, with a €35m Brazil midfield also set to sign in January, Manchester United were among three Premier League clubs rejected by a Barcelona attacker, while news of a €50m Aston Villa approach for a quality Spain forward has emerged.
KYLIAN MBAPPE SIGNING A REAL POSSIBILITY FOR LIVERPOOL IN 2024
Liverpool are firmly in contention to sign Kylian Mbappe in 2024, according to fresh reports coming out of France.
With just a year left on his deal at PSG, the 24-year-old superstar has seen a potential exit fail to get off the ground this summer. The Ligue 1 giants were keen to offload Mbappe with Real Madrid strongly leading the charge. However, their signing of Jude Bellingham in an initial €103m deal from Borussia Dortmund meant they did not have the means to also sign Mbappe.
As such, and with Mbappe’s deal expiring next summer, the LaLiga giants’ plan was always to sign him as a free agent in 2024.
However, Real’s assumed capture of Mbappe on a free will, according to L’Equipe, be strongly challenged by Liverpool next year.
Indeed, with doubts continuing to surround the future of Mohamed Salah, the Reds could cash in on the talismanic Egyptian star to fund a move for Mbappe in 2024.
To that end, the forward will be eligible to negotiate with overseas suitors from January 1. And L’Equipe are adamant that Liverpool ‘cannot be discounted’ from the conversation.
While the star could leave on a ‘free’, he would likely command an enormous signing-on fee. Furthermore, he would also net eye-watering wages, given he currently pockets an estimated £700,000 a week in Paris.
Liverpool, of course, could not reach those heights, but could offer him a substantial wage were Salah – himself on £350,000 a week – to depart.
In the meantime, Mbappe has greased the wheels over a summer move by reneging on a hefty loyalty bonus at PSG. Had he signed a new deal, Mbappe could have triggered a massive €100m signing-on fee at the Parc des Princes.
However, his refusal to extend his stay has ‘gifted’ the French club an enormous saving and has made his expected free-transfer exit easier to stomach. As a result, the player has now settled his differences and is back in favour – for this season at least – at the Ligue 1 giants.
Liverpool press ahead with Andre signing
One man who Liverpool can expect to sign in January 2024, however, is Fluminense midfielder Andre.
The Brazilian star was the subject of a failed €30m (£25.5m) offer from the Reds in the summer. Indeed, Fluminense rejected the Merseysiders’ offer by informing them no amount of cash would convince them to cash in during what is effectively the business end of the season in South America.
However, an agreement has reportedly been hatched to bring the 22-year-old to Anfield in January. The one-time capped Brazil midfielder has a €40m exit clause in his deal, but reports in his homeland suggest a deal will be struck at around the €35m (£30m) mark.
Andre is seen as the heir apparent to Thiago Alcantara at Anfield and his signing will likely see the Spaniard depart, though his exit will likely be delayed until the summer.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already signed four new midfielders this summer with Ryan Gravenberch adding to the earlier captures of Waturu Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
But with six players leaving their engine room – and potentially a seventh next summer in Thiago – Liverpool have had to spend big on their rebuild.
JOAO FELIX REJECTS MAN UTD TO SEAL BARCELONA TRANSFER
Joao Felix rejected a deadline day move to Manchester United, with Aston Villa and Liverpool also ignored, in order to complete a move to Barcelona and a club the departing Atletico Madrid player describes as his ‘dream club’. (Marca)
Club Brugge are ready to abandon their chase for Leeds defender Pascal Struijk after deciding his likely valuation will be tough to meet. (Het Laatste Nieuws)
Brighton striker Andi Zeqiri is on his way to sign for Genk after the Belgian side met the Seagulls’ valuation. (Het Belang van Limburg)
Celta Vigo manager Rafa Benitez is pushing to sign midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin following his release by Everton. (Cadena SER)
Nottingham Forest and Wolves both failed with hefty deadline day approaches to sign Osauna defender or defensive midfielder David Garcia. (Estadio Deportivo)
Anthony Elanga claims it was ‘difficult and emotional to leave’ Manchester United this summer but feels he’s made the right move for his career in signing for Nottingham Forest. (Fotbollskanalen)
Sergio Ramos rejected a move to Manchester United for the second time in his career this summer with the veteran defender choosing instead to re-sign for first club Sevilla upon leaving PSG. (various)
FENERBAHCE TARGET MAN UTD MIDFIELDER WHO IS DESPERATE TO QUIT
Fenerbahce have set their sights on signing Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek, with the Turks believing the Dutchman is desperate to quit Old Trafford. The Turkey transfer window closes on September 15. (A Spor)
Ryan Gravenberch has been told he’s ‘making a mistake’ by not linking up with the Netherlands squad this international break as he bids to acclimatise himself to new club Liverpool, according to Michael Reiziger. (various)
Leeds star Marc Roca is already ‘desperate’ to make his loan move to Real Betis a permanent move after ‘falling in love’ with the LaLiga club, according to their sporting director Ramon Planes. (Marca)
Edmond Tapsoba has signed a new five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen following summer interest in his services from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. (various)
Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia is threatening to go on strike after being denied a deadline day switch to Wolves. (Corriere dello Sport)
Al-Ittihad’s offer to Liverpool for Mohamed Salah will now top an extraordinary £215m with the full range of incentives for the move looking increasingly sweet for both the player and the Merseysiders. (various)
BIG-NAME ATHLETIC BILBAO STAR SNUBS ASTON VILLA APPROACH
Athletic Club forward Nico Williams ‘rejected a proposal’ to join Aston Villa in a €50m move, with a €7m a year contract also on offer at Villa Park. (Estadio Deportivo)
Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao
Anderlecht are closing on the signature of former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 36, after his exit at Nice last week. (Het Laatste Nieuws)
Marko Arnautovic signed for Inter Milan over rival offers from Saudi Arabia with his brother and agent the catalyst for his move back to the San Siro. (ServusTV)
Atletico Madrid have finalised the €15m sale of Yannick Carrasco to Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab, with the Belgium winger signing a three-year deal in the Middle East. (various)
Besiktas are close to finalising a deal for Nicolas Pepe after the France winger was told he has no future at Arsenal. (90min)
Hugo Lloris’ move away from Tottenham is taking shape with the veteran France star edging closer towards a move to the Saudi Pro-League. (various)