Liverpool stance as Kylian Mbappe move to Real Madrid hits 'stumbling block'

Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe are yet to reach an agreement on the superstar's salary, despite reports of a deal.

At the end of last week it was reported that the 25-year-old forward had finally come to a decision on his future, settling on a move to Real Madrid this summer, at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract.

The saga surrounding Mbappe has become one of the dominant football stories of recent months, with speculation about the forward's next move dominating paper talk and gossip columns.

While Madrid have long been seen as an inevitable destination for the France captain, the reports of his decision would've come as a blow to PSG fans — with the French club supposedly hopeful of a renewal — as well as some Liverpool supporters still holding out for an unlikely summer deal.

However, according to the Independent, the drama isn't quite over, with the move to join Real Madrid not yet signed off.

It is claimed that Madrid and Mbappe are 'still negotiating' with the parties some way apart on his wage package. The issue is described as a 'stumbling block' in the way of the deal's completion.

It is not speculated how much it will take to satisfy the forward and his team. Some previous reports have estimated that Mbappe would require a salary in the region of €35m a year, plus massive bonuses. Others put the figures even higher still.

Madrid, once football's biggest spenders, have changed their recruitment approach in recent years, focussing on younger players with less expensive contracts, making Mbappe's signing harder to square.

Despite this spanner in the works, the report states that is is 'now expected' that Mbappe will move to the Spanish capital, with even PSG resigned to a deal.

It is added that a potential switch to Liverpool has been explored but that the Reds did not want to break their own wage structure for what would be an incredibly expensive 'free' transfer.

Anfield Watch understands that the Reds were only prepared to entertain the possibility of a move for Mbappe, in the event that Mohamed Salah — the club's highest earner — were to leave this summer.

However, with the Egyptian recently leaning towards staying and even extending his Anfield contract, a serious move for Mbappe became unlikely.