Can Liverpool Tempt Mbappé Away From Madrid? Big Six Ranked in the Hunt

Kylian Mbappé's stock at the Santiago Bernabéu has taken a tumble. After being substituted on Thursday and subsequently jeered by the crowd following Real Madrid's victory over Real Oviedo, the French forward revealed that Álvaro Arbeloa had informed him he now occupies fourth-choice status in the striker pecking order. While Arbeloa has pushed back against this account, the writing on the wall appears unmistakable: all is decidedly not well between club and player.

Could this be the moment a Premier League giant swoops? Realistically, probably not. Mbappé maintains a solid relationship with incoming manager José Mourinho, and it's difficult to imagine Real surrendering on a player they've pursued so relentlessly. Still, stranger things have happened. With that in mind, here's how the Big Six stack up in the race for Mbappé's signature.

6. Tottenham Hotspur

Back in 2021/22, when Mbappé was plotting his escape from Paris, he was rather definitive: "I don't think I will play for Tottenham in my life." Spurs were Champions League regulars then. Now, they could be staring down the barrel of the Championship within a fortnight. We suspect Mbappé's language would be considerably less diplomatic if asked the same question today.

5. Chelsea

You can practically hear the Blue Co. boardroom wheels turning. Somewhere among Chelsea's sprawling collection of sporting directors, someone has almost certainly pitched "Project Mbappé" to the assembled brains trust this week. Signing a ready-made megastar doesn't align with Chelsea's typical blueprint, yet it would undoubtedly appeal to the egos wielding power at Stamford Bridge.

The problem? This Chelsea side simply isn't that compelling. Besides, Chelsea had their moment in the sun—and they squandered it.

4. Manchester City

We'd wager that if Mbappé and Erling Haaland were ever destined to play together, it would've happened at the Bernabéu. We'd still back Haaland leaving City before Mbappé abandons Madrid. That said, if the current storm clouds genuinely prompt Mbappé to reassess, we know he harbours genuine interest in working under Pep Guardiola.

"I didn't say 'no' to Guardiola, I said 'no' to Manchester City," Mbappé stated after City's failed attempt to recruit him from Monaco in 2018, when he was cementing his PSG move. Should City mount another bid, Mbappé would need cast-iron assurances about Guardiola's long-term commitment. Beyond that, City have evolved past the point of needing to be seen chasing superstars.

3. Manchester United

Since INEOS took the reins, United have charted a different course—one that doesn't necessarily include £500,000-per-week contracts laden with bonuses. Sir Jim Ratcliffe would view such spending roughly as favourably as an unexpected tax bill from the revenue service. Yet old patterns die hard, and Old Trafford boasts some of the few accounting departments capable of making the numbers dance.

Here's the thing: landing a genuine world-beater—someone who elevates the team, not merely the marketing department—would send a message across Europe that United mean business. They desperately need to restore Champions League football. And let's be honest, they could use another striker option.

2. Arsenal

Two years ago, when Mbappé's PSG exit became inevitable, Mikel Arteta spoke candidly: "Why not?.. When there is a player of that calibre, we always have to be in that conversation." The football world chuckled. Perhaps they shouldn't have.

Should Arsenal claim both the Premier League and Champions League crowns this summer, they'll occupy a position of unprecedented authority. If Arteta was keen on Mbappé when Arsenal were perpetual challengers, imagine his appetite now as European royalty. Arsenal's attacking ranks could certainly benefit from Mbappé's arrival.

1. Liverpool

Liverpool face an identical striker void. But they possess a potential trump card—if they're willing to play it. Mbappé has spoken warmly of his admiration for Xabi Alonso, who briefly managed him at Real Madrid: "I had a great relationship with Xabi. He is going to become a great coach," he remarked on Thursday evening.

Whether that constituted a backhanded swipe at Arbeloa or genuine praise for Alonso remains debatable, but Mbappé's fondness for the Spaniard is evident. It's another compelling reason for Liverpool to pursue Alonso as their next manager—assuming they haven't already made up their minds.

With Mohamed Salah's departure looming, Liverpool will need to plug a significant hole. Mbappé operates in a different position but would more than compensate for Salah's exit. Better still, freeing up Salah's wages would ease the financial burden of Mbappé's salary demands considerably.

Liverpool's spending spree last summer demonstrated genuine ambition, even if the execution raised eyebrows. That hunger surely remains intact.