Kylian Mbappé Details Failed 2017 Transfer Negotiations With Liverpool

Kylian Mbappé confirmed he held serious transfer talks with Liverpool in 2017, involving a meeting on a private jet with Jürgen Klopp.

Kylian Mbappé revealed he was "close to Liverpool" before completing a move from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. The negotiations involved a meeting on a private jet equipped with five rooms, which flew in circles from Blackpool to Nice to avoid public detection. During the flight, former Liverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp presented his project to the then-18-year-old forward and his family while sharing a meal.

Mbappé’s mother, Fayza Lamari, served as a primary advocate for the Merseyside club, attending matches at Anfield alone to experience the atmosphere. She described the side as a "family club" and encouraged her son to sign for the Premier League team. Despite these efforts, Mbappé opted to join PSG on an initial loan that included a €180 million permanent purchase option, citing a desire to become a star in his hometown of Paris before moving abroad.

Jürgen Klopp previously characterized the pursuit as the "most expensive non-transfer" in Liverpool's history. While Mbappé maintained a strong relationship with Klopp, he noted that his decision ultimately came down to projects at PSG and Real Madrid. The French international eventually departed PSG for Real Madrid in 2024 after becoming the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, surpassing the totals of Miroslav Klose and Lionel Messi.