L’Equipe reports this Wednesday that, two years ago, Kylian Mbappé (25) had reached a verbal agreement to join Liverpool FC. The outlet understands that on the back of his contract renewal tying him to Paris Saint-Germain until 2024 – with a player option to extend for a further year – the France captain felt betrayed by the Ligue 1 club. The latter reportedly sold Mbappé an ever-ambitious transfer window with the expected arrivals of Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva and then Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

The outlet understands that Mbappé’s entourage asked the PSG executives to allow him a way out before the end of the transfer window, so much so that the striker reportedly refused to take part in the 2022-2023 season-opening 5-0 thrashing of Clermont. Mbappé was officially absent through injury. PSG then reportedly received two bids, from Real Madrid and Liverpool, the two foreign clubs who always had an interest in the Parisian prodigy.

Liverpool offered €200m to PSG

Liverpool’s bid to land Mbappé was reportedly worth €200m. Antero Henrique, who was PSG Sporting director before the appointment of Luis Campos, asked the Premier League giants to double that amount, as a way to cut short any negotiation. In the meantime, Mbappé had reportedly already reached a personal agreement with Liverpool over a short-term contract, which would have allowed him to join Real Madrid in the future. Mbappé eventually signed a long-term contract for Los Merengues upon the expiry of his PSG contract.

A source close to PSG denied the story to L’Equipe, arguing that Liverpool FC could not have the funds to sign Mbappé.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval