Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool could benefit from Kylian Mbappe joining Real Madrid
Tchouameni has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield this year, having turned the Reds down 12 months ago.
But despite strong claims that the Frenchman isn’t leaving Real Madrid, Carragher told The Overlap that he still thinks Jurgen Klopp wants to bring him to Liverpool. But it could all depend on Kylian Mbappe.
“I keep thinking there’s something going on with Mbappe and Real Madrid,” explained the Liverpool legend. “At some stage in this window, will Real Madrid need money?
“Tchouameni chose Real Madrid over Liverpool last summer, didn’t really play too much. Jurgen Klopp’s probably having these conversation with people at the club saying ‘we need someone in this position.’
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“But are they thinking ‘let’s give this another two, three weeks, the first two, three games of the season. We want to buy someone for the net four or give years.’
“If he [Mbappe] goes to Real Madrid, they’re going to need 50 or 60 million to help with that transfer fee. [Liverpool will be then think] Can we get the guy that we really wanted.”
Tchouameni still on Liverpool’s list
For the time being, both of these transfers would look very unlikely to happen. For all that Real Madrid want Mbappe, they’re clearly holding out to get him for nothing next year.
Having spent so much on Jude Bellingham this summer, it seems inconceivable that they’ll bring the PSG superstar in, too.
Of course, you never know with Real Madrid. Florentino Perez has a flair for these enormous signings and he’s coveted Mbappe for so long now. Maybe something could spook them into paying PSG’s huge asking price.
If that does happen, then it isn’t out of the question that they have to recoup some money somewhere. Having cost around £68m last year, Tchouameni is a high-value asset.
Whether that’s in this transfer window or the next one, it could mean that Tchouameni is up for sale. In that respect, you could see why Liverpool would hold off on other targets to see what’s happening with the 23-year-old.
Nevertheless, the Reds cannot base their transfer strategy on a mammoth transfer which may or may not happen.
If their need for a midfield addition wasn’t quite so severe, maybe that would be different. But having already gambled with the position over the last few years, now is the time for decisive action. Tchouameni and Liverpool had their chance, they missed it, now it’s time to move on.
