Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has lifted the lid on one of the most fascinating transfer stories of his Anfield reign, revealing the Reds went to extraordinary lengths in an unsuccessful attempt to sign Kylian Mbappe from AS Monaco in the summer of 2017.
Speaking during his media duties at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Klopp described the operation as Liverpool’s “most expensive non-transfer,” recalling how the Premier League club organised a highly secretive meeting with Mbappe and his family in a bid to convince the teenage sensation to choose Merseyside over Europe’s biggest clubs.
At the time, Mbappe had emerged as the hottest young talent in world football after inspiring Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and an impressive UEFA Champions League run.
His explosive pace, composure and eye for goal attracted interest from virtually every European heavyweight.
Liverpool were among the clubs determined to secure his signature.Klopp revealed that Liverpool’s recruitment team spared no effort in trying to persuade the then-18-year-old forward.
According to the German tactician, the meeting was conducted under extraordinary secrecy to avoid attracting public attention or media speculation.
“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.”
The former Reds boss explained that the discussions took place while the aircraft remained in the air, allowing both parties to avoid unwanted publicity.
“We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food [in the plane].”
Klopp admitted the unusual setting reflected just how determined Liverpool were to convince one of football’s brightest prospects to move to Anfield.
Despite Liverpool’s ambitious presentation and personal efforts from Klopp himself, the move never materialised.
The manager recalled how every detail had been carefully planned, but ultimately the project could not compete with the financial power and sporting appeal of Paris Saint-Germain.
“We couldn’t be seen. We flew in a circle. It was fantastic. And then he went to Paris.”
Instead of joining Liverpool, Mbappe completed an initial loan move to Paris Saint-Germain before making the transfer permanent in a deal reportedly worth around £153 million.
The move proved to be one of the defining transfers of modern football.
Mbappe went on to establish himself as one of the greatest players of his generation during his spell in Paris.
He became PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer, won multiple Ligue 1 titles and domestic trophies, while helping France lift the 2018 FIFA World Cup and reach another final four years later.
Following seven glittering seasons in the French capital, Mbappe eventually secured his long-awaited move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, ending years of transfer speculation linking him with clubs across Europe.
For Liverpool, missing out on Mbappe remains one of football’s biggest transfer “what if” stories.
Although Liverpool failed to land the French superstar, Klopp’s recruitment during his Anfield tenure still transformed the club into one of Europe’s dominant forces.
The arrivals of players such as Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson helped the Reds win the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup under the German manager.
Mbappe may never have worn Liverpool’s famous red shirt, but Klopp’s latest revelation offers supporters a fascinating glimpse into one of the club’s most ambitious transfer pursuits.
His account also highlights the fierce competition among Europe’s elite clubs for generational talents and serves as a reminder that not every carefully planned transfer mission ends in success—even when every possible effort has been made.
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