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LIVERPOOL -- Liverpool have not made a bid for Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe, sources have told ESPN FC. Reports in Spain on Thursday claimed the new Ligue 1 champions had rejected a €75 million bid from Anfield for the 18-year-old, who has also been linked with Manchester United. But the sources told ESPN FC that, as things stand, Liverpool have been monitoring Mbappe but are not preparing any bid. They said the Anfield scouting department is continually tracking the progress of high-performing young talent across the game. France international Mbappe, who has two years remaining on his contract, has played a pivotal role in Monaco's title and their run to the Champions League semifinals. Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has said the teenager is not for sale for any price. Liverpool will return to the Champions League if they beat relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield on Sunday, and manager Jurgen Klopp believes they will be in a financial position to compete with rivals in the summer window. Asked at a news conference on Friday whether they would have the resources to recruit their top targets if Champions League qualification was achieved, Klopp replied: "Yes. "I said it before, for different reasons, it makes sense to play in the Champions League. It's a wonderful competition -- fans love it, players love it. That's great. "Of course you can earn money there. That's money we didn't have last year. We are already in a good position -- we are a club without financial problems. "We have money to spend but we always thought it made sense to think before we spend. That's what we are doing." Klopp said last week that playing in the Champions League would make a difference and that, having held talks with potential signings, players were increasingly interested in the "project" at Anfield. "The players are really positive and I've felt it this year in comparison to last year, where it was different," he said. "They saw our way and the football. That's good, and the Champions League would be the icing on the cake. "It should not sound negative, but if the Champions League is the only reason why a player is coming then it makes no sense for us and for them."
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