Kylian Mbappe boost and Vinicius Junior linked as Liverpool transfer rumors assessed

Liverpool closed the January transfer window with two key additions at center-back.

After Joel Matip suffered a late-season ankle injury against Tottenham, Jurgen Klopp admitted the club should find short-term cover in the post.

And that’s what they did, bringing in Ozan Kabak from Schalke on a six-month loan with an option to buy this summer and signing Ben Davies from Preston North End in a £ 2million deal. .

However, while the winter window may now be over and dusted off, that doesn’t mean the rumor has stopped spinning, and with Liverpool involved, there are still some big names linked with potential transfers.

With that in mind, here are the latest rumors noted.

Nike could help land Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has less than 18 months of contract and could force an exit from the French champions this summer.

Liverpool have already been linked with a sensational move for the World Cup winner, possibly succeeding Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah in the process.

However, securing a move for Mbappe will be difficult, especially financially, with the Frenchman currently valued at around £ 200million. Still, Liverpool’s connection with Nike, with whom they signed a kit deal this summer, and LeBron James, a Nike marketing client who is a Reds supporter and minority shareholder, could put them in a position of strength.

Mbappe is also a Nike customer. He and James have teamed up to produce the “Chosen 2” brand. With Ligue 1 in financial trouble due to a breach of TV contracts, Mbappe’s brand could be better served by leaving PSG for the bright lights of the Premier League.

With his ties, those of Liverpool and James with Nike, all signs could point to Anfield.

You can read more about how Nike could facilitate a move for Mbappe here.

Real Madrid ready to sell Vinicius Junior

Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly ready to sell young winger Vinicius Junior amid ties with Liverpool and Arsenal.

Spanish outlet AS via Sports Mole reports that Los Blancos are eager to recoup as much value as possible for the 20-year-old, who has only scored 12 goals in 94 games.

Madrid signed Vinicius for € 46million in 2017, although he only arrived at Madrid in 2018, when he turned 18. At the time, he was the second most expensive Brazilian in history behind Neymar.

However, Vinicius did not live up to his high expectations and has only made 10 starts this season. As such, Madrid are reportedly keen to offload the youngster in an attempt to sell before his value crates further.

It would seem unlikely that the Reds are aiming to move here, if he isn’t good enough for Madrid then which makes him good enough for the Premier League champions!

Liverpool approach defenders on deadline day

For the Reds, the list of potential center-back options was seemingly endless according to the Mirror.

RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate were reportedly surveyed at different times before the window closed, Lille’s Sven Botman was seen in a complicated deal involving Divock Origi.

Then there were failed attempts to sign Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, who even made it to the airport, as well as Lyon defender Marcelo, who allegedly refused by L’Equipe a six-month contract offer. month.

At the end of the window, Liverpool signed both Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies as cover after scouring the market for every potential option.