Kylian Mbappe has revealed that he came close to joining Liverpool in 2016 but rejected the opportunity to pursue his ambition of becoming a star in his hometown of Paris.
The France international, now 27 and playing for Real Madrid, was emerging as one of Europe’s most promising young talents at Monaco when Liverpool attempted to bring him to Anfield.
His mother strongly supported the potential transfer and even travelled to Liverpool to explore the possibility of her son joining the Premier League club.
However, Mbappe ultimately chose Paris Saint-Germain, believing that establishing himself in France before moving abroad was the right decision for his career.
Liverpool’s Efforts to Secure Mbappe
Liverpool’s interest in Mbappe extended beyond preliminary discussions, with former manager Jurgen Klopp personally involved in the club’s attempts to secure his signature.
Speaking as a pundit for Magenta TV during the 2026 World Cup, Klopp revealed that Liverpool arranged an elaborate meeting with Mbappe and his family.
The club organised a private jet from Blackpool to Nice, where the family boarded the aircraft for discussions over a potential transfer.
The meeting took place during a flight intended to keep negotiations away from public attention. Liverpool provided food and other arrangements as club representatives attempted to persuade the French forward to move to England.
Despite the considerable effort, the discussions ended without an agreement, and Mbappe subsequently joined PSG.
Anfield Visit Left Lasting Impression on Mbappe’s Mother
In an interview with The Athletic, Mbappe explained that his mother had been particularly enthusiastic about Liverpool and Klopp.
She travelled to Merseyside during the initial stage of negotiations, visiting the city and Anfield while meeting people associated with the club.
Her experience strengthened her belief that Liverpool would provide an ideal environment for her son. She was impressed by the club’s atmosphere, its welcoming community and its reputation as a major European football institution.
Mbappe’s mother also attended several matches independently to experience Anfield on a matchday and imagine her son playing in front of Liverpool supporters.
She continued encouraging him to accept the opportunity, but the forward remained determined to build his reputation in Paris before considering a move outside France.
Hometown Ambition Determined Mbappe’s Future
Mbappe’s decision to reject Liverpool was primarily influenced by his personal connection to Paris, where he was born and raised.
He wanted to establish himself as a leading footballer in his home city rather than leave France at an early stage of his career.
In 2017, he joined PSG from Monaco on an initial loan agreement that included an option to make the transfer permanent for €180 million (£165.7 million).
The move began a seven-year spell in the French capital, during which Mbappe became PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer and established himself among the world’s most prominent footballers.
He eventually left Paris for Real Madrid in 2024, having fulfilled his ambition of achieving major success in his hometown.
Although Liverpool’s recruitment efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful, Mbappe’s account reveals how close the Premier League club came to securing one of football’s biggest stars before his career took a different direction.