Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool made a serious attempt to sign Kylian Mbappe when the forward was at Monaco, with the former Reds manager revealing details of a meeting on a private jet. The revelation comes as Paris FC winger Moses Simon also opened up about his own failed move to Anfield.
Klopp Confirms Mbappe Pursuit
Speaking during MagentaTV's coverage of France's World Cup quarter-final victory against Morocco on Thursday, Klopp said: "The most expensive non-transfer we [Liverpool] invested in. We flew from Blackpool to Nice. In Nice, the entire Mbappe family boarded a private jet with five rooms or something. We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food. We flew in a circle. It was fantastic. And then he went to Paris."
Mbappe eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain and now plays for Real Madrid. He is currently leading the World Cup Golden Boot standings with eight goals and has scored 86 times in 103 appearances for Los Blancos.
Moses Simon Reflects on Failed Liverpool Move
Paris FC winger Moses Simon has disclosed how he came close to joining Liverpool. The 30-year-old, who recently completed his debut season with the Ligue 1 side after moving from Nantes, revealed his disappointment in an interview with Urban Dwell Sport.
"From 2016 to 2018, I dropped in form because I wanted to make a transfer. Liverpool wanted to sign me, I think Hull City, Fulham, Brighton, Tottenham, and Lyon also. We played against them in the Europa League in 2017. But, you know, when you read all this in the newspapers, some are true while some are rumours. So the first year, I didn't make it. I didn't get a transfer. The second year, I was supposed to go to Liverpool. It didn't work. In my head, I was like, 'Is it the agent or the club? I don't want to play.' So I was putting it in my head: 'Whether I play or I don't play, I don't care.'"
Liverpool's Summer of Change
The bulk of Liverpool players will return to the club's training ground next week for pre-season preparations. A summer of change for the Reds has witnessed Arne Slot replaced by Andoni Iraola. The club have yet to truly demonstrate their financial muscle in the transfer window, though. Despite only bringing in Victor Munoz from Osasuna thus far this summer, anticipation is that the Reds will invest further.
The Reds' pre-season has also been rocked by the news that Michael Edwards, the CEO of club owners Fenway Sports Group, has left his post. However, today's latest centres on two significant transfers that ultimately fell through.
