Forget Kylian Mbappe - Liverpool should go for this obvious transfer instead

The latest on the Kylian Mbappé transfer saga has confirmed that the French superstar's future does indeed lie away from Paris Saint-Germain. The 25-year-old's current terms are due to expire this summer but he has teased the footballing world lately by not committing to a firm answer.

Many guessed that Mbappé would end up leaving France this year based on the sheer volume of interest from other clubs, particularly Real Madrid. But now, with just four months left on his contract, it's set in stone that one of the best strikers on the planet will be pursuing a new chapter.

Liverpool have had their name linked to Mbappé on and off for years now and excitement reappeared amid his recent exciting exit links. Clubs have been trying to poach the goal-scorer for a long time but it started to look like he wasn't ever going change allegiance. Now, free on the market at the end of the season, Mbappé will join a new club and both Liverpool and Arsenal have found themselves in the mix.

Jurgen Klopp previously laughed off the idea of Mbappé arriving at Anfield, stating that the financial conditions involving a transfer 'do not suit the Reds at all'. Mikel Arteta has since come out and said that his side should 'always have to be in the conversation' when it comes to high profile players on the market. However, reports this week have claimed that Real Madrid — who have been hunting Mbappé for ever so long — have wasted no time in contacting the French international, who can agree pre-contract talks now ahead of the summer.

Los Blancos are also the overwhelming favourites according to bookmakers, so as things stand, all signs point to the Spanish giants finally getting their man. But Liverpool fans knew that all along, really. The likelihood of the Reds actually signing Mbappé was always slim but that doesn't mean the end of the club's pursuit for a clinical goalscorer. Let's take a look at another option the Premier League title chasers could consider.

Liverpool are preparing for a major restructure at the end of the season following the bombshell announcement that Klopp is leaving his role. Not only will this end an iconic era at the club but the manager's departure could trigger some key players to also want to move on. The main concern is Mohamed Salah, who is out of contract in 2025 and right now it is uncertain where his future lies beyond this season.

Saudi Arabia remain heavily interested in signing the Egyptian and tabled eye-watering offers of £150 million and more last summer. The Saudi Pro League clubs could return with another very generous bid for the 31-year-old, and if Liverpool cannot agree new terms with Salah, they must take the money while they can.

A Salah sale will fund most, if not all of, his replacement's transfer fee, depending on how much they can get. This will allow the Reds to explore expensive options and not worry about cutting costs, which is a topic that has irked fans in the past.

One long-standing target of Liverpool's is Jarrod Bowen, who has been setting the Premier League alight with West Ham. Klopp has expressed in the past that he is a fan of the versatile forward and recent reports reignited the club's interest in bringing him to Merseyside. Bowen only recently signed a mega new deal with the Irons, keeping him at the London Stadium until 2030, but new updates have already thrown a spanner in the works.

The Daily Mail recently reported (via Caught Offside) that it will be difficult for West Ham to keep hold of the 27-year-old, who has been turning heads with his 14 goal and five assist season so far. With a new six year extension, the Hammers will be able to demand whatever money they want for Bowen, and based their £105 million sale of Declan Rice, it's inevitable that he won't come cheap.

That is where Liverpool's potential war chest from Salah comes in. If they can cash in on the Egyptian for a handsome fee, it will seriously reduce how deep they will have to dive into their own pockets to bring in a replacement. If Salah doesn't leave and new terms are agreed, then the Reds have bought themselves more time to consider new attacking options anyway.

Bowen is naturally a right-winger but he is also confident playing as a centre-forward, which is a trait shared by all of Liverpool's front three. Throughout the last couple of seasons, Salah, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota have regularly switched positions to play either centrally or out wide for the Reds when needed. Bowen would fit in well as a fellow versatile attacker, who can cover most of his teammates and be covered in return.

The West Ham star has been churning out many influential performances this season, coming up clutch with important goals across all competitions. The Irons are still in a strong position to secure European football at the end of this season but how long can a player like Bowen remain at a club without Champions League football and title challenges? The pull of a club like Liverpool and what he can offer in return could make for a stunning signing if the Reds do find themselves needing a successor to Salah.

As things stand though, they may agree new terms with their Egyptian star, but it's always good to have one eye on the market in case surprises present themselves. And based on Klopp's recent news, it's wise to be prepared for anything.