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Football

19th May 2017

Liverpool ‘are monitoring’ Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappé, sources tell ESPN

Tony Cuddihy

While the Reds have not yet made a bid for the 18-year-old, they’re seriously considering a club-record outlay in the summer.

Liverpool are eyeing a summer move for young Monaco striker Kylian Mbappé.

While reports in Spanish newspaper Marca that the Reds had already bid €75m for the teenager are wide of the mark, sources have told ESPN that Jurgen Klopp is eyeing a bid in the summer.

One thing is for sure – competition for the signing of Mbappé will be fierce.

The Frenchman played a key role in Monaco’s run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and is arguably the most sought-after young player in Europe.

Mbappé has two years left to run on his contract at the Ligue Un giants and Monaco insist they will not sell at any price.

However, a bid north of €100m will seriously test the club’s resolve to hold on to its most promising youngster since Thierry Henry in the late 1990s.

Should they beat Middlesbrough at Anfield on Sunday, Liverpool will be guaranteed Champions League football next season and Klopp says he is ready to spend.

“I said it before, for different reasons, it makes sense to play in the Champions League. It’s a wonderful competition — fans love it, players love it. That’s great,” he said on Friday at his press conference.

“Of course you can earn money there. That’s money we didn’t have last year. We are already in a good position — we are a club without financial problems.

“We have money to spend but we always thought it made sense to think before we spend. That’s what we are doing.”

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