Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed the extraordinary lengths the club went to in an unsuccessful attempt to sign Kylian Mbappe in 2017.
Mbappe was only 18 at the time but had already emerged as one of European football’s most exciting young players following his breakthrough at Monaco. Liverpool joined the race for his signature and arranged a private meeting with the striker and his family.
Speaking as a pundit for Magenta TV before France’s World Cup victory over Morocco, Klopp described the operation as Liverpool’s “most expensive non-transfer.”
The German explained that a private jet flew from Blackpool to Nice, where Mbappe and his family boarded. Liverpool also provided food while talks took place during the flight, allowing the two sides to meet away from public attention.
Klopp said the aircraft had several rooms and that Liverpool had made every possible effort to persuade Mbappe to move to Anfield. His mother, who represents him and operates a consultancy for professional footballers, was also involved in the discussions.
Despite the elaborate arrangements, Liverpool were unable to secure the forward’s signature.
Mbappe instead joined Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan from Monaco. The agreement included an option that made the transfer permanent for €180 million, equivalent to approximately £153 million.
He remained in Paris for seven years and became PSG’s all-time leading scorer before moving to Real Madrid in 2024.
Klopp managed Liverpool for nine years, winning both the Premier League and Champions League before leaving the club in 2024. The 59-year-old has since been strongly linked with becoming the next head coach of the German national team.