Kylian Mbappe open to Liverpool transfer, Ivan Toney move to Arsenal ‘difficult’ in January – Paper Round

Liverpool remain a credible option for Kylian Mbappe now the striker is free to agree terms with a club outside of France, Le Parisien reports. Real Madrid may be viewed as the frontrunners to sign the Paris Saint-Germain star, who is out of contract at the end of the season and therefore now able to negotiate with clubs abroad, but Liverpool are said to be the “most credible and dangerous candidate" with Mbappe “not indifferent” about a move to Anfield.

It is a repeat of the saga that played out in 2022 before Mbappe signed an extension with PSG, and the possibility of him staying with the French champions beyond the summer cannot be ruled out either.

Le Parisien adds: “For the moment, no one knows what colours he will play in next season, perhaps himself included. The captain of France has got into the habit of weighing up the pros and cons before deciding. But there is no doubt: he will finish this 2023-2024 season with PSG, with the idea in particular of going as far as possible in the Champions League.”

Arsenal face a difficult task in signing Ivan Toney from Brentford this January, the Daily Mail reports. The Gunners have Toney top of their wish list in the mid-season window, with the 27-year-old said to be excited about the possibility of joining the title-chasing Gunners.

However, FFP could be a concern for Arsenal, and they may need to sell players this month to fund a move for the player who will soon be returning from his eight-month betting ban.

Speaking on the Daily Mail’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast, journalist Sami Mokbel said: “Arsenal are very, very interested. But, it's expensive in January. Particularly when you consider Arsenal spent close to £200m in the summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and obviously they loaned David Raya which will turn into a permanent deal.

“So, when you consider FFP [Financial Fair Play] and how much you can spend around those regulations, it will be a very difficult deal to do. It's almost an impossible deal to do in January without outgoings.”

Newcastle and PSG are leading the race to sign Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City, the Telegraph reports. The England midfielder wants regular first-time football ahead of Euro 2024, and a loan move away is the most likely option.

Phillips has made just two starts since joining City for £45m in 2022, and Newcastle would ideally like to loan the player as they look to bolster their injury-depleted squad.

In their club-by-club rundown of the January transfer window, the Telegraph writes about Newcastle: “In an ideal world they would like to sign a right-sided forward and a defensive midfield player. Another goalkeeper is not out of the question either but they are severely hamstrung by profit and sustainability rules which means loans are being explored before permanent deals.

“Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips is a long-standing target and he is available on loan. Free agent goalkeeper David De Gea could come into their thinking. Trying to find a forward is rather more problematic and Newcastle would rather not spend big money.”

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