For the time being, Liverpool’s reported interest in AS Monaco prodigy Kylian Mbappe continues to sound like just another bit of tabloid tat, but rumours surrounding his future at the club won’t be quieting down anytime soon with the man himself taking exception to the Ligue 1 champions warning off potential suitors.
“I’ll be the only one who decides, along with my family. No one will decide for me. I won’t go anywhere where I have been told to go. It’ll be my choice, and I’ll back that choice,” said the young Frenchman. “All I want to do is play. I’m at an age where I have to play,” continued Mbappe, stressing his desire to get out on the pitch. “I’m at an age where I have just started, I still have everything to prove,” added the 18-year old. “This year has been a year of ‘discovery,’ but the year coming up is one of confirmation. Once you have taken that step, there aren’t a billion steps left to take. This step is really important, and I will take the time to do it well and try to do it as quickly as possible.”
And, unsurprisingly, almost immediately following Mbappe’s outburst Monaco changed up their tune. While they’re still maintaining that their budget means they don’t have to sell their stars, billionaire owner Dmitri Rybolovlev has confirmed that they won’t stand in the way of anyone who wants to leave — though they won’t put a price-tag on the 18-year old, instead letting the market dictate his price. Now, Liverpoolhave a pile of money to spend after adding the cash injection that comes along with Champions League football to the transfer kitty the owners had already earmarked for new players, but it’s highly unlikely they’ll be cutting a cheque big enough to secure the services of the young Frenchman.
“We’re not here to decide for men, to block them, to tell them ‘Yes’ or ‘No,'” stressed Rybolovlev. “We don’t have a budget problem and we’re not obliged to sell them, but the day when a player or coach wants to leave, it’s unimaginable that we will keep them against their will,” continued the Russian before turning his attentions to the question of Mbappe. “I don’t know, it’s the market that decides, and it’ll depend who’s ready to invest in him,” explained the Monaco man, going on to echo the sentiments of the 18-year old. “In any case, it’s more the player’s decision than the club’s.”
