Klopp admitted FSG could spring Mbappe 'surprise' as stance made clear
Jurgen Klopp previously admitted that Liverpool's owners could 'surprise' him and make an approach for Kylian Mbappe - but he has now claimed it will be 'tricky' for top clubs to sign the French forward.
Mbappe has informed Paris Saint-Germain of his decision to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. The 25-year-old has scored 31 goals in 30 matches so far this term and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid - two years since he U-turned on a switch to stay in Paris.
Liverpool are another potential destination for Mbappe but Klopp, who will step down as Reds boss in May, claimed on Friday that will be hard for Europe's elite to sign the Frenchman due to his "wages" and "signing-on fee". It was reported last month that Mbappe is demanding an eye-watering sum of £60million per year and a staggering signing-on bonus worth £107m in order to join Real.
Speaking ahead of the Reds' trip to Brentford, Klopp was asked if many top clubs will be exploring a deal for Mbappe. "Obviously, I'm not involved in that, but I can tell you I'd be surprised if all the top clubs were," he admitted. "The top clubs I know, for most of them it will be tricky - wages, signing-on fee."
It's a slightly different response compared to what Klopp said about Mbappe back in August. "We laugh about it," the 56-year-old told Sky Germany at the time. "I can say that I think he's a really good player but the financial conditions don't suit us at all. I wouldn't like to ruin the story now... but as far as I know, there's nothing to it.
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"It's possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me... that hasn't happened in the eight years that I've been here. That would be the first time."
If the Reds do enter the running, however, it won't be the first time they have tried to sign him. In early 2017, the striker, who was playing for Monaco at the time, held a two-hour meeting with Henry on his private jet. It was claimed Henry tried to win over Mbappe and his family by flying over to Monaco and inviting them on board.
As for Mbappe's future in 2024, Real are the frontrunners to secure his signature but did hit a stumbling block in their pursuit earlier this week. The 14-time Champions League winners are having problems with Mbappe's agent and mother Fayza Lamari, who is sticking to her guns during negotiations.
Kylian Mbappe is set to leave PSG this summer (Getty Images)Will Kylian Mbappe join Real Madrid this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
It's said the two parties are 'far apart' on agreeing a deal for Mbappe, which could become a significant problem. Real have reportedly offered the former Monaco forward an annual salary of £30m per year and want "written guarantees" to avoid another last-minute change of heart.
Mbappe scored on his return to the PSG side against Real Sociedad on Wednesday. He didn't feature in the 3-1 win over Brest last weekend after picking up an ankle injury, but grabbed his 31st goal of the campaign in their 2-0 Champions League first-leg victory in Paris.
Meanwhile, PSG boss Luis Enrique was quizzed on Mbappe's future ahead of their trip to Nantes on Saturday. "I have no information to give you, the Spaniard said. "I am going to avoid talking about this subject until the parties involved speak about it. Kylian Mbappe has not said anything publicly and neither has the club. I am the coach and when the other parties have spoken, I'll give my opinion."
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