Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shared fascinating details about one of football’s most intriguing transfer stories, revealing how the Premier League giants mounted an elaborate and highly confidential operation in an attempt to convince Kylian Mbappe to join Anfield before the French superstar completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The German coach reflected on the unforgettable transfer pursuit while covering the FIFA World Cup as a television analyst, where he reunited with Mbappe following France’s impressive quarter final victory over Morocco.
What appeared to be a simple wave toward Mbappe’s mother after the match quickly became a reminder of a transfer saga that Liverpool supporters still wonder about nearly a decade later.
Watching France warm up before kickoff, Klopp admitted the meeting stirred memories of the ambitious recruitment drive Liverpool launched in 2017, when Mbappe was regarded as the most sought after young footballer in world football.
Speaking about the encounter, Klopp joked that France’s squad reminded him of several transfer battles he narrowly lost during his time at Liverpool.
He revealed that Liverpool had held serious discussions with three members of the current French squad, including Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Adrien Rabiot, but failed to persuade any of them to move to Merseyside.
According to Klopp, missing out on all three players remains one of the biggest frustrations of his managerial career.
The former Borussia Dortmund coach then disclosed the extraordinary measures Liverpool took in their pursuit of Mbappe.
Determined to keep negotiations away from public attention, club officials reportedly organised a highly confidential meeting involving the entire Mbappe family.
Klopp explained that Liverpool chartered a luxury private jet that flew from Blackpool to Nice, where Mbappe’s family boarded for private discussions about the player’s future.
The aircraft featured five separate cabins, allowing the meeting to take place away from media scrutiny while everyone enjoyed a meal during the flight.
To avoid attracting attention from journalists and photographers, the plane reportedly remained airborne for an extended period before returning, ensuring the secret negotiations remained hidden from the outside world.
Recalling the remarkable operation with a smile, Klopp described it as perhaps the most expensive transfer pursuit that never resulted in a signing.
Despite Liverpool’s determination and meticulous planning, Mbappe eventually rejected the Premier League club’s proposal in favour of joining Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth around €180 million.
The transfer made the French forward one of the most expensive players in football history and marked the beginning of an extraordinary chapter in his career.
At PSG, Mbappe quickly established himself as one of the world’s elite footballers.
Blessed with explosive pace, exceptional dribbling ability and remarkable composure in front of goal, he became the club’s leading attacking figure and developed into one of the biggest names in global sport.
During his years in Paris, Mbappe won numerous domestic trophies while consistently finishing among Europe’s leading goalscorers.
He also formed a high profile attacking partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar, creating one of the most celebrated forward lines in modern football.
Although the trio delivered domestic success, the UEFA Champions League trophy remained elusive during Mbappe’s time at the French club.
Following his departure, however, Paris Saint-Germain finally achieved their long awaited European breakthrough by winning the Champions League, an achievement that arrived after the France captain had moved on.
Mbappe eventually fulfilled another childhood ambition by joining Spanish giants Real Madrid, where expectations remain enormous.
The 27 year old continues to pursue what many consider the final major objective of his club career by helping Los Blancos secure another European crown.
Despite the attention surrounding his club future over recent years, Mbappe has remained fully committed whenever representing France.
His leadership has become increasingly important following his appointment as national team captain, and he once again demonstrated his influence by inspiring Les Bleus to victory over Morocco in the World Cup quarter finals.
The Real Madrid forward scored during the match before playing a decisive role in creating France’s second goal, helping Didier Deschamps’ side secure a place in a third consecutive World Cup semi final.
Klopp’s revelation also highlights Liverpool’s ambitious recruitment strategy during one of the club’s most successful modern eras.
Although the Reds failed to secure Mbappe’s signature, Klopp still transformed Liverpool into one of Europe’s dominant teams.
Under his leadership, the club won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup, restoring Liverpool to the summit of English and European football.
Ironically, Liverpool achieved that remarkable success without landing the player many believed could have elevated the team even further.
Since stepping away from management in 2024, Klopp has remained closely connected to football through television analysis and ambassadorial duties.
However, reports continue to link the charismatic German with a return to the dugout.
He is widely expected to become the next head coach of the German national team following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup, succeeding Julian Nagelsmann if negotiations proceed as anticipated.
For Mbappe, attention remains fixed on France’s quest for another World Cup title.
The captain has been one of the tournament’s standout performers, combining goals with leadership as Les Bleus prepare for another demanding semi final challenge.
While Liverpool supporters may continue imagining what could have been had Mbappe accepted Klopp’s proposal all those years ago, the story offers a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of elite football transfers, where multimillion euro negotiations, private jets and carefully guarded meetings often take place far from public view.
Although Liverpool ultimately missed out on one of football’s greatest talents, Klopp’s recollection confirms just how close the club came to rewriting football history.
