Jürgen Klopp has revealed the extraordinary lengths Liverpool went to in their attempts to sign a teenage Kylian Mbappé from Monaco, including a private jet meeting with his family. Speaking on German station Magenta TV after covering France’s World Cup quarter-final win over Morocco on Thursday, the former Liverpool manager described the effort as “the most expensive non-transfer we’ve ever made.”
Liverpool's Pursuit of Mbappé
Liverpool were among several top European clubs vying for Mbappé when he emerged with a talented Monaco side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2016-17. The forward ultimately joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan in August 2017 before signing permanently for €180 million the following year. Klopp had previously confirmed Liverpool’s interest, but his latest comments provide new details about the club’s aggressive pursuit.
“It’s extremely tough for me right now; I’ve already negotiated with three of their players and never got them,” Klopp said, referring to Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and possibly Manu Koné. “With Mbappé, it was before he went to Paris. That was roughly €500 million, the most expensive non-transfer we’ve ever made.”
The Private Jet Meeting
Klopp described a clandestine meeting arranged to win over the Mbappé family, whose mother, Fayza Lamari, is a Liverpool fan. “We flew from Blackpool to Nice. In Nice, the whole Mbappé family boarded a private jet with five cabins. Then we flew around in circles and had a delicious meal. We weren’t allowed to be seen. It was great – and then he went to Paris.”
The anecdote underscores the lengths Liverpool were prepared to go to secure one of the world’s most promising talents, but ultimately failed as Mbappé chose a move to the French capital.
Impact and Legacy
Mbappé went on to become a global superstar at PSG, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles and leading France to a World Cup victory in 2018. Despite the failed transfer, Klopp remains appreciative of the experience, calling it a memorable chapter in Liverpool’s transfer history. The revelation adds to the lore of Liverpool’s near-misses in the transfer market, highlighting the competitive nature of elite football recruitment.
