Mbappé Reveals Liverpool Transfer Near-Miss
Mbappé Reveals Liverpool Transfer Near-Miss
Anonymous
Key Points
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Mbappé joined Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan in 2017, with a mandatory purchase option reportedly worth £165.7 million.
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Liverpool’s efforts were led by Fenway Sports Group, which chartered a private jet and flew Mbappé and his family in circles over France while Jürgen Klopp presented the club’s project.
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Klopp later described the failed pursuit as “the most expensive non-transfer we ever made.”
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At the time of the negotiations, Mbappé had established himself as one of Europe’s leading young players with Monaco, recording 40 goal involvements in 60 appearances—27 goals and 13 assists.
Kylian Mbappé revealed that he came close to joining Liverpool in 2016 while playing for Monaco, but ultimately chose Paris Saint-Germain to stay in his hometown. BBC reported that Mbappé's mother and agent, Fayza Lamari, strongly favored Liverpool after visiting Anfield, where she was impressed by the club's atmosphere. Despite the extensive recruitment efforts, Mbappé decided that becoming a star in Paris was the better path.
At the time, Mbappé had already established himself as one of Europe's top young talents with Monaco, recording 40 goal involvements in 60 appearances—27 goals and 13 assists. AOL reported that Liverpool tried to sign him at just 18 years old, with Jürgen Klopp holding private meetings to present the club's vision. Mbappé said he had great respect for Klopp and the club, but family ties to Paris ultimately won out.
Liverpool's Ambitious Recruitment Push for Young Star
Liverpool launched an aggressive campaign to sign Mbappé in 2016, with Fenway Sports Group pulling out all the stops. BBC reported that the club chartered a private jet and flew Mbappé and his family in circles over France while Klopp pitched the club's project. The meetings were detailed and serious—the manager personally outlined Liverpool's ambitions for the teenage sensation during the flight.
Klopp later described the failed pursuit as "the most expensive non-transfer we ever made," highlighting just how close Liverpool came to landing one of world football's brightest young talents. The club's investment in time and resources showed their belief in Mbappé's potential, even though the pitch ultimately fell short.
Mbappé's Mother Championed the Anfield Move
Fayza Lamari, Mbappé's mother and agent, was convinced that Liverpool represented the ideal destination for her son. Yahoo News reported that after visiting Anfield, she became one of the club's strongest advocates. The Merseyside club's atmosphere and project impressed her deeply, and she pushed hard for her son to make the move across the Channel.
Despite her enthusiasm and support for Liverpool, Mbappé ultimately overruled her advice. BBC noted that the teenager chose to ignore his mother's preference, deciding instead that staying in Paris—his hometown—was more important. Family dynamics played a crucial role in one of modern football's most consequential transfer decisions.
Paris Loyalty Won Out Over English Ambition
Mbappé joined Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan in 2017, with a mandatory purchase option reportedly worth £165.7 million. The deal made him one of the world's most expensive young players and fulfilled his desire to become a star in his hometown. Head Topics reported that Liverpool's extensive efforts ultimately couldn't overcome the pull of playing in Paris.
The decision reflected Mbappé's personal priorities at the time—family connections and the chance to dominate in France's biggest city took precedence over the sporting challenge and global platform that Liverpool offered. Looking back, Mbappé has expressed respect for what Klopp and Liverpool tried to offer him, but has shown no regrets about the path his career took instead.
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