Jürgen Klopp has revealed the extraordinary lengths Liverpool went to in their attempts to sign a teenage Kylian Mbappé from Monaco, including a private jet flight that circled over Nice while negotiations with his family took place.
Liverpool's ambitious pursuit
Liverpool were among several top European clubs chasing the forward after he emerged in a talented Monaco side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2016-17. Mbappé ultimately joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan in August 2017 before signing permanently for €180 million the following year.
Speaking on German station Magenta TV after covering France's World Cup quarter-final win over Morocco on Thursday, the former Liverpool manager provided a detailed account of his attempt to win over the Mbappé family. The striker's mother, Fayza Lamari, is a Liverpool fan.
“It's extremely tough for me right now; I've already negotiated with three of their players and never got them,” said Klopp, referring to Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and possibly Manu Koné.
The private jet meeting
“With Mbappé, it was before he went to Paris. That was roughly €500m, the most expensive non-transfer we've ever made. We flew from Blackpool to Nice. In Nice, the whole Mbappé family boarded a private jet with five cabins. Then we flew around in circles and had a delicious meal. We weren't allowed to be seen. It was great – and then he went to Paris.”
Klopp's revelation highlights the intense competition for Mbappé's signature, with Liverpool's creative approach ultimately falling short as the player chose to join PSG.
