Ex-Arsenal star Robert Pires explains why he wants Kylian Mbappe to sign for Liverpool

Kylian Mbappe is expected to switch Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid this summer, but Robert Pires has hinted the France forward could have a last-minute change of heart

Former Arsenal forward Robert Pires has admitted he would like Liverpool to sign Kylian Mbappe and believes the Frenchman is ‘capable of rejecting’ a summer move to Real Madrid.

Mbappe is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent with his contract running out at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a blockbuster switch to Madrid. The 25-year-old has scored 38 goals in 38 appearances this season, taking his tally up to 250 in his seven-year PSG career.

However, Real are anticipated to secure his signature after being touted with a move for a number of years. Back in 2022, Mbappe famously U-turned on a move to Madrid to stay in Paris, signing a new two-year deal in the process. And Pires is convinced Mbappe has the history to turn his back on Real once again.

“I’m sorry Kylian, you weren’t the first to say no to Real Madrid,” Pires told French outlet Media Carre. “I don’t know what decision he will make, but I rejected Real because I had two other options. Surely if I didn’t have Arsenal and Juve, I would have gone straight to Real. That is sure.”

As well as Los Blancos, Liverpool and Arsenal are among the other potential destinations for Mbappe should he decide not to renew his contract at the Parc des Princes. Pires, who spent six years at the Gunners, believes a move to Anfield would suit Mbappe because it’s a “great” club with “calm fans”.

Liverpool are well stocked in the attacking department with Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo among the first-team regulars, but Mbappe could add an extra dimension to their squad despite the impending departure of Jurgen Klopp in the summer.

Pires added: “I would like to see him at Liverpool. It’s a great club, family, good structure, no pressure, calm fans… And I tell myself that Mbappe and [Mohamed] Salah could be quite explosive. I think he is capable of rejecting Real Madrid.”

Mbappe has been impressive for PSG this season but was left furious after being substituted during their 2-0 derby victory over Marseille on Sunday. The France international captained PSG at Orange Velodrome but was hooked in the 64th minute with his team a goal up and a man down.

He was left visibly frustrated with the decision to take him off and shrugged his shoulders as he saw his number appear on the board. After high-fiving the bench, Mbappe decided to storm down the tunnel. Despite this, manager Luis Enrique defended his choice following the match.

“It’s the same music every single week, the same music… it’s so boring. I am the manager, I make the decisions every day, every week. I am going to do the same until my last day in Paris,” he told Prime Video Sport.

“I always try to find the best solution for my team. I think I am right. Even if you don’t (understand it), I don’t care. I don’t care at all. Today we made too many mistakes. It’s part of football, we have to accept it and progress.”