Liverpool may get chance to sign £85m star that snubbed Jurgen Klopp

Klopp urges Liverpool to keep pressure on in top four battle

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could be in with a chance of signing one of his former high-profile targets if Real Madrid decide to pursue a money-spinning move for Kylian Mbappe this summer. The Spanish giants are known to be long-term admirers of Mbappe, who they attempted to bring to the Bernabeu two years ago before seeing their advances rebuffed by Paris Saint-Germain.

Real Madrid have since been linked with a new approach for the Frenchman, while they are also believed to be in advanced talks over a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham. The England playmaker has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Manchester City in recent weeks but is now widely expected to join Real Madrid on a long-term deal, with personal terms having been agreed earlier this year, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed by Sky Sports that Real Madrid are eager to add Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies to their ranks alongside Mbappe and Bellingham this summer, although the reigning European champions would undoubtedly need to make room for all three players and ensure their compliance with financial regulations by selling some of their existing stars over the coming months.

Liverpool could then be poised to reap the rewards if Real Madrid opt to trim their squad, depending on which players are made available for moves elsewhere in the not-too-distant future. It seems likely that Aurelien Tchouameni would be among the candidates to be sold if Bellingham ends up joining the club as expected, with the former Monaco ace set to face greater competition for a starting spot next season in the event of another top-class midfielder being snapped up later this year.

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Tchouameni was pursued by Liverpool in the summer of 2021 after making a name for himself as one of Europe’s best young prospects during his time at Monaco, although he eventually chose Real Madrid after being swayed by the La Liga heavyweights. Klopp reportedly spoke to Tchouameni on a number of occasions to try and convince him to join the Reds, but the German manager’s efforts were ultimately in vain.

It remains to be seen if Liverpool will be tempted to reignite their pursuit of the 23-year-old before next season gets underway, with the Merseyside giants crying out for improvements in the engine room after struggling to win midfield battles on a consistent basis over the course of the current campaign. His defensive know-how would certainly help Liverpool to retain possession in the middle of the park, while his impressive physical attributes and playmaking ability would also give the Reds a cutting edge in the final third.

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It could be argued that Liverpool would risk missing out on a move for Tchouameni if they fail to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, although Klopp insisted last week that he was not overly concerned about the possibility of being beaten to deals in the absence of Champions League football over the coming months.

“When I talk to a player, if I’m allowed which is barely the case, you can realise if they are interested,” explained Klopp. “We are not 100 per cent in the Champions League next season and they would know that.

“It’s one thing we can’t guarantee next year but everything else is the same. It is a fantastic football club. We are still Liverpool and very attractive for a lot of players. I am not concerned about that. Of course it is more difficult without Champions League.”

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