Kylian Mbappé, the 27‑year‑old French forward who now commands a market value of around €150 million, recently opened up about a transfer that never materialised. According to BBC Sport, the striker disclosed that his mother was a "big fan" of Jürgen Klopp and even travelled to Anfield, which sparked early discussions with Liverpool in 2016‑17.
The Liverpool Near‑Miss
In an interview captured by BBC Sport, Mbappé said, "I was close to joining Liverpool in 2016". The claim is echoed by a series of outlets, including CaughtOffside and Get French Football News, which both report that the Merseyside club were actively courting the teenage prodigy during his breakthrough season at AS Monaco.
“My mum went to Anfield and fell in love – that’s why I was close to Liverpool,” Mbappé told the press, as reported by BBC Sport.
Despite the enthusiasm from both sides, the Frenchman ultimately decided to remain in France. SportsMole and Yahoo Sports note that Mbappé rejected Liverpool after weighing his options, opting instead for a move to Paris Saint‑Germain later that summer.
Why the Deal Fell Through
Various sources, such as ESPN and The Independent, suggest that the decisive factor was Mbappé’s desire to continue his development under the guidance of PSG’s project rather than jump to the Premier League at a young age. The striker’s mother, while a fervent Liverpool supporter, could not persuade him to abandon the French capital’s ambitious sporting plan.
Other reports, including Goal.com and Rush The Kop, highlight a secret meeting with Klopp that, while cordial, did not culminate in an official offer. The narrative aligns with the broader picture painted by TalkSPORT and Roundtable.io: the Liverpool approach remained informal and never progressed beyond exploratory talks.
Market Value Perspective
Mbappé’s market value has surged from roughly €45 million when he left Monaco for PSG in 2017 – a fee reported to be around €180 million including add‑ons – to the current €150 million range. Had Liverpool secured his signature in 2016, the fee would likely have been in the €100‑€120 million bracket, a figure that appears modest compared with his later valuation. In hindsight, the missed deal would have been a bargain for Liverpool, especially given the striker’s subsequent achievements, including multiple Ballon d’Or nominations and a World Cup triumph.
Mbappé’s contract with PSG is set to expire in 2025, meaning any future move would still command a premium. The “unknown” fee from the 2016 negotiations reflects the early stage of his career; clubs were still assessing his potential, making the rumored amount difficult to compare directly with today’s valuations.
Reliability: 3/5 The story draws on multiple reputable sources – notably BBC Sport, CaughtOffside, and Get French Football News – all of which report the same core claim of a near‑transfer. However, the lack of concrete contractual details and the reliance on retrospective interview statements keep the overall certainty at a moderate level.
