Transfer Centre

Arsenal, Liverpool 'not actively pursuing Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 July 2023

Arsenal, Liverpool 'not actively pursuing Kylian Mbappe'

Neither Arsenal nor Liverpool are actively pursuing an audacious deal for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Neither Arsenal nor Liverpool are said to be actively pursuing a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe this summer.

The 24-year-old's future is once again a hot-button topic in the transfer market after he informed PSG that he had no intention of extending his contract beyond the end of next season.

The Ligue 1 champions are therefore facing the risk of losing Mbappe on a free transfer in under 12 months' time - a scenario that president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has insisted will not be allowed to happen.

As a result, PSG are allegedly hoping to push Mbappe out of the door this summer, but their nine-figure asking price and the striker's monumental wages could prove problematic.

Furthermore, the France international has stated on multiple occasions that he wants to continue at PSG next season and will only make a final decision on his future at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring for France on June 19, 2023 © Reuters

Mbappe is even said to be prepared to sit on the bench at PSG next season if the French champions take drastic action, as his options for a summer transfer elsewhere are severely limited.

Aside from PSG, only Real Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia appear to possess the financial firepower required to satisfy Mbappe, who is still expected to head for the Spanish capital at some point.

Nevertheless, the ex-Monaco man is said to favour a move to Arsenal should he ever end up playing in the Premier League, while Liverpool was touted as a potential destination last year.

However, speaking to CaughtOffside, journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that neither team is considering a move for the Frenchman at this moment in time given his extortionate costs.

"Right now PSG are just waiting on Mbappe. But if there is no breakthrough they will actively put him on the market. Real Madrid would still prefer to wait until next summer and sign Mbappe on a free, but would consider moving now if the price is right," Jacobs said.

France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their third goal on March 24, 2023 © Reuters

"Quite clearly if it's sky high, with wages and agent fees on top, there will be very few clubs able to afford the deal – probably only the Saudi ones, and Mbappe does not appear to have any interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League.

"What I am told, though, is PIF dealmakers would love to take him for a year, even knowing he would then leave for Real or elsewhere. But Mbappe wants to compete in the Champions League and not take a one-season exodus from it. Liverpool and Arsenal have also been linked with Mbappe but neither are actively considering him."

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have been focused on strengthening their midfields during the ongoing window, although their respective captures of Kai Havertz and Dominik Szoboszlai could also offer them alternative options in attack.

It is unclear if Arsenal have any spending money left this summer after bringing in Havertz, Jurrien Timber and British-record signing Declan Rice, while Liverpool could either try to capture a new centre-back or number six if Al-Ittihad-linked Fabinho departs.

Mbappe was in scintillating form once again for PSG last season, scoring 41 goals in 43 games to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer, breaking Edinson Cavani's previous record of 200 strikes.