Report: The Deal Liverpool Almost Made But Couldn’t Finalise | OneFootball

Report: Kylian Mbappé and Liverpool’s Missed Opportunity

In a recent report by L’Equipe, French superstar Kylian Mbappé was on the verge of joining Liverpool in 2022, only for the deal to fall through before his eventual move to Real Madrid. While the idea of Mbappé in a Liverpool shirt remains a tantalising “what if,” it has once again stirred the conversation about what might have been. Given the financial enormity of such a deal and the future prospects of Mbappé’s career, it’s hard not to reflect on this missed opportunity for Liverpool.

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Mbappé’s Near Move to Liverpool

According to the L’Equipe report by Loic Tanzi and Hugo Delom, Mbappé had requested to leave PSG in 2022 and had agreed, in principle, to join Liverpool. The potential transfer would have been nothing short of a dream for Liverpool fans, adding a generational talent to the team. However, the deal also had an added complexity—Mbappé had eyes on Real Madrid as his ultimate destination, meaning that his stint at Anfield would likely have been temporary.

This move was envisioned as a stepping stone for Mbappé to later fulfil his ambition of playing for Madrid. While it would have been a remarkable addition for Liverpool, some may argue that the short-term nature of the deal would have left the club in a precarious position, potentially disrupting team dynamics.

Financial Complications

While the idea of Mbappé joining Liverpool was exciting, the financial aspects of the deal were always going to be challenging. As reported by ESPN, Mbappé eventually signed a five-year deal with Real Madrid worth a staggering €15 million per year after taxes, alongside a signing-on fee of €150 million.

For a club like Liverpool, which operates with a carefully balanced wage structure, bringing in a player on such astronomical wages could have caused discontent within the squad. With Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and other key players on lucrative contracts, Mbappé’s arrival could have tilted the balance in the dressing room.

Mbappé’s Time at Real Madrid

Fast forward to today, and Mbappé is flourishing at Real Madrid. With two goals in his first four La Liga appearances this season, he seems well on his way to becoming one of the icons of the Bernabéu. His relationship with PSG soured towards the end of his time there, and upon signing for Real Madrid, Mbappé described the transfer as “a big relief.”

Though Liverpool fans may lament what could have been, there’s no denying that the financial strain of signing a player of Mbappé’s stature would have been immense. Jurgen Klopp himself downplayed the possibility of such a deal earlier this year, stating, “Obviously, I am not involved in that, but I can tell you that I would be surprised. It would be tricky for most of the top clubs I know — wages, signing fee.”

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It’s hard not to get excited about the idea of Kylian Mbappé at Anfield, even for a brief period. His raw talent, pace, and goal-scoring ability would have elevated Liverpool’s attack to an entirely new level. The possibility of seeing Mbappé link up with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz would have been thrilling for any fan.

However, there are also significant concerns about what the arrival of such a high-profile star could have done to the club’s delicate wage structure and team morale. Liverpool has always prided itself on its unity and collective effort, a balance that is hard to maintain when one player is earning exponentially more than the rest. While the prospect of winning more trophies with Mbappé in the squad was tempting, his inevitable move to Real Madrid would have made it difficult to build any long-term project around him.

In hindsight, missing out on Mbappé might have been a blessing in disguise. Liverpool have already shown resilience in the transfer market, opting for long-term solutions rather than short-term glamour signings. With their current squad still competing at the top level, the Reds continue to develop players who are committed to the club’s future, and that approach may ultimately prove more fruitful.