Transfer deadline for Kylian Mbappé set amid Liverpool connections as Arsenal offers Ivan Toney “Plan B”

Liverpool opponents round-up: Arsenal has been offered an alternative to Ivan Toney, while Real Madrid has given Kylian Mbappé a deadline to go to La Liga.

After a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United during the midweek at Bramall Lane on December 6, Liverpool’s excellent season continues. Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai each scored two outstanding goals to give Jürgen Klopp’s team all three points.

Liverpool is now four points ahead of their competitors in second place as a result of their victory and Manchester City’s away loss to Aston Villa. With Liverpool and table-toppers Arsenal separated by just two points, all eyes will be on their crucial December 23 match at Anfield.

This following weekend, Liverpool will head south to play Crystal Palace on another road journey. Although former Reds manager Roy Hodgson will undoubtedly want to impede Liverpool’s advancement, supporters will be hoping for all three points to keep the pressure on Arsenal given the form books.

The news that Joël Matip may miss the rest of the season after it was revealed he tore his ACL during the 4-3 victory over Fulham last weekend has considerably darkened the atmosphere at Anfield. The Cameroonian’s current contract ends at the end of the current campaign, and it is still unknown how long he will be out.

Here, Liverpool.com surveys the other major teams in the Premier League and throughout Europe to see what news they have to report. As usual, Kylian Mbappé is frequently mentioned in transfer rumours.

Kylian Mbappè deadline set

The story of Kylian Mbappé seems to go on forever. The Frenchman has been caught in a long-running tug-of-war between Real Madrid and his current team, Paris Saint-Germain, but it seems like the conclusion is near.

Mbappè has informed the French team that he plans to leave the team next summer. According to the Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid has informed Mbappé that they are prepared to extend a contract offer to him so he may play for Los Blancos the following summer, but he needs to decide by January 15.

Mbappé is reportedly the target of a move by Liverpool (via The Mirror). However, the cost of bringing the 24-year-old to Anfield has always made any agreement seem unfeasible.

According to Liverpool.com, most people would just like the Mbappé saga to end since it has, quite frankly, gone on for far too long. Mbappè needs to quit the Ligue 1 team come summertime if he has any respect for his legacy as a player, despite PSG’s best efforts to persuade him to stay.

Arsenal offered Ivan Toney ‘alternative’

Ivan Toney, the striker for Brentford, is still Mikel Arteta’s top transfer target, although it has apparently been offered to Arsenal as an alternative. After his eight-month suspension for violating the Football Association’s gambling regulations ends, Arteta intends to bring the English striker to North London.

However, another striker may be proposed to the Arsenal coach. As per AS, Arteta may receive Ferran Torres, a former Manchester City forward, from Barcelona. It is reported that the Spaniard is evaluating his options after having a falling out with manager Xavi.

This season, Torres has had trouble getting into the game because Xavi prefers Robert Lewandowski up front. For the Catalans this season, Torres has only made seven starts. Furthermore, Torres’ troubles will undoubtedly worsen with Vitor Roque’s $43 million (£34 million/€43 million) arrival from Athletico Paranaense in January.

According to Liverpool.com, Torres and Toney are not the same type of player, thus it is unclear whether Arsenal would show the same level of interest in Torres as they do in the Brentford striker. ‘Plan B’ isn’t the most evident.

Toney is four years older than Torres, thus Torres might be a better long-term investment than the former forward for Manchester City. Furthermore, Arteta has enjoyed working with his former Etihad teammates, getting the most out of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.