\n<\/p>\n
With Kylian Mbappe seemingly unwanted at Real Madrid, where might he wind up in the Premier League this summer? Liverpool, of course.<\/p>\n
Mbappe was jeered<\/strong> when he came off the bench on Thursday night, when he told the media after a win over Real Oviedo that Alvaro Arbeloa had told him that he was now \u2018fourth-choice\u2019 striker.<\/p>\n Arbeloa disputes that version of events<\/strong> but, very clearly, all is not well between Real and Mbappe.<\/p>\n Might he be on the move? Honestly, probably not.<\/p>\n Mbappe gets on well with Jose Mourinho, who is all set to replace Arbeloa<\/strong>and it seems unlikely that Real would give up so easily on a player they courted since the cradle.<\/p>\n But it is not impossible. And Premier League clubs ought to be alive to Mbappe\u2019s potential availability.<\/p>\n Here is how we\u2019ve ranked the Big Six\u2019s prospects of landing the France megastar\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I will play for Tottenham in my life,\u201d said Mbappe back in 2021\/22 when he was considering life after PSG. Spurs finished that season in the Champions League; they could be in the Championship in just over a week.<\/p>\n We doubt Mbappe would be quite as polite if the same question was put to him this summer.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n You just know that one of the half-dozen or so sporting directors at Chelsea have pitched \u2018Project Mbappe\u2019 to the rest of the Blues\u2019 brains trust this week.<\/p>\n Of course, signing a ready-made mega-star isn\u2019t Chelsea\u2019s usual modus operandi but landing Mbappe would doubtless appeal to the egos on the Blue Co. board.<\/p>\n Still, even with a contract until the end of time and free rein to use Strasbourg as his own personal play thing, this Chelsea just aren\u2019t that appealing.<\/p>\n Anyway, Chelsea had their chance and they f***ed it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n We assumed that if Erling Haaland and Mbappe were ever going to be paired together, it would be at Real Madrid. And we\u2019d\u00a0still bet on Haaland leaving City before Mbappe quits Real.<\/p>\n But if the flak flying at Mbappe right now<\/strong> does make him consider his future, we know he likes the idea of playing for Pep Guardiola.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say \u2018no\u2019 to Guardiola, I said \u2018no\u2019 to Manchester City,\u201d said Mbappe after City tried to sign him from Monaco when he made his move to PSG permanent in 2018.<\/p>\n Of course, should City succeed on this occasion, would he be playing for Pep? Anyone contemplating an offer from City would need assurances over Guardiola\u2019s future.<\/p>\n In any case, City are now past the stage of needing to be seen signing \u2013 or attempting to sign \u2013 superstars.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n United seem to have moved in a different direction too since INEOS got their feet under the table. The prospect of paying Mbappe \u00a3500,000 a week plus bonuses would go down with Sir Jim Ratcliffe as well as a tax bill handed to him by an immigrant.<\/p>\n But old habits still die hard, and doubtless Old Trafford is one of the very few places probably still with accountants who could tickle the numbers to make them work for United.<\/p>\n The Red Devils have made good progress on the road back towards credibility, one of the first steps being to return to the Champions League. The signing of a bona fide superstar \u2013 one who would contribute to the team, not just the profile \u2013 would put the rest of Europe on notice that United are back.<\/p>\n And Christ knows they need more depth at centre-forward.<\/p>\n MORE: Man Utd advised against proceeding with shock Kylian Mbappe signing<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?.. When there is a player of that calibre, we always have to be in that conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That was Mikel Arteta two years ago<\/strong> when it became clear Mbappe was leaving PSG and up for grabs. Most laughed at the time, but Arteta could wipe those smirks from their faces in the next fortnight or so.<\/p>\n This summer, Arsenal might never be in a position of greater authority if they win the Premier League and Champions League. If Arteta was pushing for Mbappe when they were perennial runners-up, you can bet he will be as kings of Europe.<\/p>\n And, like United, Arsenal\u2019s front line could certainly use Mbappe.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n So too could Liverpool. And they have a trump card \u2013 if they choose to use it.<\/p>\n Mbappe has spoken of his fondness and respect for Xabi Alonso: \u201cI had a great relationship with Xabi. He is going to become a great coach,\u201d he said on Thursday night.<\/p>\n That may have been as much a slight on Arbeloa as a compliment for Alonso, but it is clear that Mbappe enjoyed working \u2013 briefly \u2013 with the ex-Real boss.<\/p>\n Which gives Liverpool another reason \u2013 not that they need it<\/strong> \u2013 to hire Alonso this summer.<\/p>\n Regardless of which manager is in charge of Liverpool next season \u2013 surely it\u2019s Alonso?!<\/strong> \u2013 they will have a Mo Salah-shaped hole to fill. Positionally, Mbappe is different, but his profile would certainly compensate \u2013 and more \u2013 for Salah\u2019s exit.<\/p>\n Which also frees up a large portion of the salary Mbappe would command.<\/p>\n Liverpool spent big last summer, which wasn\u2019t a wrong move, even if the way they went about it was. It illustrated the ambition, which we assume still remains.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n6) Tottenham Hotspur<\/h2>\n
5) Chelsea<\/h2>\n
4) Manchester City<\/h2>\n
3) Manchester United<\/h2>\n
2) Arsenal<\/h2>\n
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1) Liverpool<\/h2>\n