Liverpool have reportedly cooled their interest in Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe ahead of next summer's transfer window, with the Reds not pushing for his signing.
The 24-year-old has endured a drama-packed start to the 2023-24 campaign in the French capital, where he was initially frozen out of the squad for failing to commit his long-term future.
Several rounds of talks with the PSG hierarchy have seen Mbappe reintegrated into the first-team fold, with the forward netting 14 goals in just 12 Ligue 1 appearances so far this term.
The France international has also made a telling impact in his side's chase of an elusive Champions League glory over the past week, scoring a last-minute equaliser from the spot against Eddie Howe's Newcastle United at Parc des Princes.
According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, there has been a major update in the pursuit of Mbappe from a side plying its trade in the Premier League.
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The report claims that Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are currently not planning to push for the signing of the attacker during next summer's transfer window.
It is understood that the capture of Mbappe is not a priority at this stage for the Merseysiders, who focused their attentions on midfield in the most recent window.
Following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the riches of the Saudi Pro League ahead of the 2023-24 term, the Reds needed to revamp their engine room.
Four major additions were brought to Anfield to address the lack of depth in the middle of the park, including Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo.
Returning to matters surrounding Mbappe, it is believed that La Liga giants Real Madrid are the most likely destination for the player should he depart PSG in the near future.
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It is claimed that Los Blancos are determined to sign the 2018 World Cup winner ahead of next season, with Carlo Ancelotti's men preparing a final offer for the forward.
The 14-time European champions are willing to sancton an agreement for Mbappe in Madrid that is 'too good to refuse', as the La Liga challengers aim to build a legendary forward line following the departures of club icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in recent years.
It remains to be seen whether sides from the Saudi Pro League reignite their interest in the Frenchman over the next few months, with Al Hilal supposedly having a €300m (£256.8m) bid for Mbappe accepted by PSG in the summer, before the player himself snubbed a move to the Middle East.
Following a routine 4-0 win over Austrian side LASK Linz in the Europa League, Liverpool will host Marco Silva's Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Carter White
