Real Madrid and France star Kylian Mbappe has revealed that he came close to signing for Liverpool back in 2016. At the time, the 18-year-old was establishing his career with Ligue 1 side Monaco when the English club made a concerted effort to secure his signature.
Speaking to The Athletic, Mbappe explained that his mother held a strong preference for the move, having become a “big fan” of then-manager Jurgen Klopp. She was reportedly captivated by the atmosphere at Anfield and saw the Premier League side as an ideal environment for her son. “The favorite destination for my mum was Liverpool,” Mbappe admitted. “She wanted me to go there.”
Mbappe recounted how his mother took the lead in the initial negotiations, traveling to Merseyside to inspect the facilities. According to the player, she visited the stadium and met with staff, returning with glowing reviews about the club’s family atmosphere and the kindness of the people she encountered. She even attended matches on her own to experience the stadium’s energy firsthand, attempting to envision her son playing on the pitch.
Jurgen Klopp, reflecting on the pursuit during the 2026 World Cup, detailed the lengths the club went to in order to persuade the young talent. Klopp explained that Liverpool arranged for a private jet to travel from Blackpool to Nice. The entire Mbappe family joined him on board to discuss a potential future while enjoying a meal. Klopp noted they kept the meeting discreet to avoid unwanted attention, though the effort ultimately did not result in a deal.
Despite the charm of the English club, the forward opted to remain in France. He noted that his desire to succeed in his hometown was the deciding factor, stating he did not want to leave his country before proving himself as a player. “I didn’t listen because I wanted to play in my city, Paris,” he added. “There was no better feeling than to show I could be a star in my hometown.”
Instead of heading to England, Mbappe eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan deal. The move included an option for a permanent transfer valued at 180 million euros, or approximately 165.7 million pounds. He went on to spend seven highly successful years in Paris, where he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer before making his high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2024. The report also notes that but yes, my mum was always saying, ‘Liverpool – you’re going to be there, playing at Anfield, it’s going to be insane for you’. The report also notes that mbappe, now 27, said his mother went out to Liverpool for the “first step” of the negotiation.
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