Kylian Mbappe hugs Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool beat PSG in Champions League game
Liverpool are in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain as they try to beat Real Madrid to the incredible capture of Kylian Mbappe, a Ligue 1 star has passed his medical ahead of joining Chelsea, while Sunday’s Transfer Gossip includes Thomas Frank revealing he is open to a big Brentford departure.
MBAPPE TO LIVERPOOL GETS CONFIRMATION
A second report has detailed Liverpool’s talks to sign Kylian Mbappe from PSG, although the terms for the deal are different than previously thought.
Mbappe left PSG shocked in June by publicly revealing he would not be activating the option to extend his contract from 2024 to 2025. This brought his potential exit from the Parc des Princes forward by 12 months, as PSG have no intention of letting him leave on a free next year.
The striker has received an astronomical offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. They had a world-record €300million (£259m) bid for Mbappe accepted by PSG and were willing to pay him £600m for just one year.
But Mbappe did not even want to enter talks with the Saudi Pro League side as he hopes to remain in Europe.
Real Madrid are widely known to be Mbappe’s ideal next destination, as he wants to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps by shining at the Bernabeu. Although, Madrid president Florentino Perez has been left frustrated by Mbappe in the past. And on July 25, it emerged that Madrid were stalling in their pursuit of him.
On Saturday, reports emerging from Spain claimed the Frenchman could head to Anfield next after Liverpool proposed a huge £172m deal for him.
The Daily Mirror have now provided their information on the potential transfer. They confirm that Liverpool are in talks over a ‘sensational’ swoop for arguably the world’s best player.
Reds could loan striker from PSG
However, the report disputes previous suggestions that Liverpool will smash the Premier League’s transfer record to complete a deal. Instead, it is claimed that Liverpool are trying to snap up Mbappe on a season-long loan.
Liverpool would pay PSG a significant loan fee, which would please the French giants. But this loan fee would not be anywhere near as much as the £172m sum which has previously been mentioned, meaning it would be within Liverpool’s reach.
Such a move would also help Mbappe get out of PSG, whom he no longer wants to play for. Liverpool could then be in the mix to snare Mbappe permanently when he becomes a free agent next summer, though there is a good chance he would end up joining Madrid on a long-term contract.
The Mirror point out Mbappe’s respect for Liverpool as one of the reasons why he might complete such a transfer. He has previously confirmed he has held talks with the Reds as they are his mother’s ‘favourite club’. Therefore, he could fulfil a family dream by winning trophies on Merseyside.
MIDFIELDER EDGES CLOSER TO CHELSEA SWITCH
Rennes ace Lesley Ugochukwu has taken a big step towards becoming a Chelsea player, according to one journalist.
Ugochukwu is a 19-year-old defensive midfielder who currently represents France U19s. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022-23, making 35 appearances across all competitions.
Last year, the starlet was linked with Arsenal and Tottenham amid his impressive rise in France. But he is now highly likely to sign for Chelsea instead.
On Saturday, The Athletic revealed how Chelsea had struck a deal with Rennes to land Ugochukwu. It is worth €27.5m, which works out at £23.6m in the current market.
That agreement came after 10 days of talks between Chelsea and Rennes, as per French newspaper L’Equipe.
Chelsea also sorted out personal terms with the teenager, which meant he could be booked in for his medical in England.
And as per Santi Aouna of French source Foot Mercato, Ugochukwu has passed those medical tests. As such, it seems it will not be long before Chelsea announce him as their latest summer capture.
Although, Mauricio Pochettino thinks Ugochukwu needs a bit more experience before he can fight for a starting spot at Stamford Bridge. As such, Aouna claims he will spend next season on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg.
It is hoped Ugochukwu will then return as a more developed and more mature player who can make an impact for Chelsea in the 2024-25 season.
BRENTFORD EXIT GAINS MOMENTUM
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has made a big hint goalkeeper David Raya will end up joining Bayern in the coming weeks.
Raya has decided against renewing his contract with Brentford to allow him to secure a transfer to a major club next. His current deal expires in June 2024, which means the Bees need to sell this summer or risk losing him on a free in 12 months’ time.
Raya has been linked with Brentford’s Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham. However, those two sides have gone in different directions by landing Andre Onana and Guglielmo Vicario respectively.
Raya now looks like he will leave England altogether by signing for Bayern. According to the latest from Fabrizio Romano, the Bundesliga titans are ‘100 per cent focused’ on signing him.
Bayern are looking at Raya as they will soon lose Yann Sommer to Inter. Of course, Bayern do have Manuel Neuer on their books, but he could miss the start of the season as he is still getting back to full fitness after a leg break in December.
And Bayern have now been given a big helping hand by Frank. When asked about the Spaniard’s potential exit, Frank said: “It’s natural that he would like to leave the club if it’s a good opportunity for him.
“We all think it’s a good idea at the right price. That means means going towards that and focusing on the other keepers we have.”
Everyone involved with Brentford will be disappointed if Raya does leave, as he has proven to be a very reliable keeper in recent seasons. Last term he kept 12 clean sheets in 38 league games, helping Frank’s side impress and ultimately finish in ninth place.
While Raya’s departure will be a setback, Brentford have an excellent recruitment policy and will therefore know exactly what they are doing when replacing him.
