Transfer Rumors: Real Madrid Identify Liverpool's $175M Star As Mbappe's Alternative This Summer

Real Madrid have reportedly marked Liverpool FC's Mohamed Salah as an alternative signing if they fail to secure Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer.

Due to the renovation of Santiago Bernabeu and the coronavirus pandemic, Real Madrid are also experiencing a financial crisis and are not in a position to make a big investment. However, since Salah's current deal with Liverpool is due to end in 2023, his asking price is expected to be lower than other European players, reported Spanish publication Fichajes.

Mbappe, who has just one year left on his PSG contract, has turned down an extension with the Ligue 1 side. But the 2018 World Cup winner has also ensured PSG that he will respect his remaining deal and will not force himself out this summer. As Real Madrid failed to win a single trophy last term, it is understood that Carlo Ancelotti does not want to wait for Mbappe to become a free agent in the 2022 summer and wants to make a significant signing to bolster his attack ahead of the upcoming 2021-22 campaign.

It was earlier reported that Ancelotti wanted to reunite with Everton's Richarlison at Real Madrid. However, the 13-time Champions League winners have decided not to go in pursuit of the Brazilian forward, according to the Fichajes report.

Salah, who was earlier known to be explosive and reckless at the same time, completely altered as a player when he moved from AS Roma to Jurgen Klopp-managed Liverpool in 2017. He has finished as the Reds' top-scorer in each of the four seasons he has played for them so far. Overall, he has scored 125 goals and provided further 47 assists in 203 competitive appearances for Liverpool.

Liverpool are determined not to sell Salah this summer. In order to lure them, interested clubs have to approach them with an offer of at least $175 million for the Egypt national, according to Spanish media outlet Don Balon.

Apart from Salah, the likes of Roberto Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) and fellow Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane have all been linked with Real Madrid as alternatives to Mbappe, according to soccer website The Hard Tackle.