Should we get Kylian Mbappe or Jadon Sancho next?

Liverpool must forget about signing Kylian Mbappe and move for Jadon Sancho.

A couple of months ago, people would have laughed at me for even asking such a question. Liverpool had no money, Sancho was going to Manchester Utd and Mbappe was, well, it’s Kylian Mbappe.

However, with Sancho set to stay in Germany for at least another year, Mbappe wanting out of Paris, the Reds board loosening their purse strings, and news outlets giving out teasing headlines, suddenly the question is a very real and apt one.

French newspaper L’Equipe sent fans into a frenzy just days after we completed the signings of Thiago and Diogo Jota by saying that Liverpool and Mbappe are in constant contact over a possible 2021 deal.

Both players have also stated their admiration for the Anfield club and in particular the gaffer, Jurgen Klopp. But more importantly, Klopp has never hidden his feelings for both players and has often said how well both would fit into his squad.

I know most Liverpool fans would jump all over Kylian given the choice of the two, but what would it actually mean for the club if we did? And would Sancho be the better long term signing?

For a start, a deal to sign Mbappe is not out of the question. Any club that buys the French forward would do so under a deal similar to the one we used to get Thiago. No club has the £250 million asking price just laying in a drawer somewhere, so this would be spread out over the length of his contract.

Despite what some people have been saying I still feel that £50 million a year over five years would be too much for Liverpool to risk. Be that as it may, please don’t despair because there is a way around the issue.

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Liverpool could easily come up with half of the funds upfront by selling either Sadio Mane or Mo Salah for between £100 and £150 million. Doing so would not only halve the yearly Mbappe fee, but it would also clear a substantial amount from the wage bill.

Even then the wages it would take to get the Frenchman to Merseyside would be astronomical and could blow open our current wage structure. This is where Nike step in. Mbappe and Liverpool are both signed to the sporting giants and a union between the two would surely be just as big for them.

How about they add some performance based bonuses to his contract. Goals as well as personal and team awards could be used by our kit designers to make it happen. Add to that a percentage of any merch sold with his name or likeness on and the star could well find himself making a small fortune at Liverpool.

But what about Sancho? I have been saying for weeks that Liverpool will bid for Sancho next summer. Statistically, there is not much between them when it comes to goal involvements – albeit Mbappe scores more and Sancho assists more.

But, beyond the obvious talents of both players, I just feel that the Sancho deal makes more sense for the club. At £110 million, it’s a move we could make without having to sell. The Sancho wages could easily fit into our current structure without too much wheeling and dealing and he just looks like a Klopp type player.

Young, hungry for success, creates and scores goals and is willing to put in a shift for the team.

I like Mbappe and I love the fact that we are being linked with the best players in the world, but no matter what the rumours are it just doesn’t seem like a comfortable fit. It seems like it would all be forced just because it’s Mbappe.

I could be wrong but for me, it’s #Sancho2021 all the way.