Before Kylian Mbappé became one of the biggest stars in world football…
Liverpool almost signed him.
Former Reds manager Jürgen Klopp has revealed that the club went to extraordinary lengths to convince the young Monaco sensation to join Anfield in 2017—including holding a meeting aboard a private jet.
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Speaking during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Klopp recalled the unusual meeting with Mbappé and his family.
To keep the visit completely private, the plane reportedly flew in circles over Nice while they talked and shared a meal.
« We flew in circles in the plane, » Klopp said, describing what he later called « the most expensive non-transfer » of his career.
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Liverpool’s interest was genuine.
Klopp, club owner John W. Henry, and the recruitment team believed Mbappé had everything needed to become a global superstar and made him one of their top transfer priorities after his breakthrough season with AS Monaco.
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Despite Liverpool’s efforts…
Mbappé ultimately chose Paris Saint-Germain, joining on loan in 2017 before completing a permanent transfer worth around €180 million, then one of the biggest deals in football history.
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Looking back, Klopp admitted the operation was unforgettable.
Not because it succeeded…
But because it showed just how far Liverpool was willing to go to land one of football’s brightest young talents.
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Had Mbappé chosen Anfield instead of Paris, football history might have looked very different. Sometimes, the biggest transfer stories are the ones that never happened.
