Liverpool Transfer News: Jurgen Klopp in 'Regular' Contact over Kylian Mbappe

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly in touch with representatives for AS Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe amid talk of a summer transfer.

As noted by Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo, a clutch of clubs are linked as potential suitors for the striker in a story from French publication L'Equipe, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. The Reds are also mentioned.

"L'Equipe report Klopp has remained in regular contact with Mbappe's camp for some weeks with Liverpool not ruled out entirely of the transfer," Rimmer wrote.

Real Madrid appear to be the favourites to land Mbappe, and he is set to join the European champions for €180 million (£162.6 million), according to Marca (via Sport Witness):

Liverpool supporters will be encouraged that the club remains in the hunt to sign the 18-year-old, though. After all, Mbappe is one of the most exciting prospects of his generation.

The Frenchman's 2016-17 season was nothing short of sensational. First, he thrust himself into the starting XI under manager Leonardo Jardim and was then key in Monaco blitzing their way to the top of the Ligue 1 table. He was also exceptional in the team's run to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League.

CHRISTOF STACHE/Getty Images

Mbappe would fit brilliantly into this Liverpool side. Klopp loves his teams to attack with freedom and purpose, not too dissimilar to the way in which Monaco went about their business last term. For any young player, the chance to work under the German would be appealing, too.

However, journalist Liam Canning is unsure why the striker would want to move to Anfield, given the clubs that are interested in him:

While Liverpool are a grand club moving in an exciting direction under Klopp, at the moment it's tough to see Mbappe turning down a team like Madrid or Barcelona to play for them.

Granted, he may have to wait a little longer to play regular football at somewhere like the Santiago Bernabeu. But working alongside a forward such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi would be an exhilarating experience for someone who is still so young.

It would be an incredible amount of money to pay for a youngster who has only enjoyed one campaign at the highest level. But sports journalist Rafael Hernandez believes Mbappe would be worth it:

Liverpool have made excellent progress under Klopp and are back in the UEFA Champions League again in 2017-18. Even so, there's a natural hierarchy in football that puts the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich above most, despite the Reds' storied history.

It means that even with a lot of groundwork put into a deal, if the trio of aforementioned teams are desperate to sign a player, Liverpool will likely miss out.