Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has revealed that he came close to joining English Premier League club Liverpool from AS Monaco before completing his high-profile transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking in an interview with sports publication The Athletic, the French international admitted that he considered a move to Anfield and held discussions with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp prior to committing his future to the French capital club.
Mbappe explained that the potential transfer occurred early in his career when he was evaluating his options to leave Monaco. He disclosed that his mother was a major admirer of Klopp's coaching style and viewed Liverpool as her preferred destination for him, consistently urging her son to consider playing on Merseyside.
According to Mbappe, his mother traveled to Liverpool to open initial negotiations with club officials. During her trip, she fell in love with the club and attended several matches at Anfield to experience the crowd atmosphere firsthand and picture how her son would fare on the pitch.
Rejection of the Anfield offer
Despite his mother's enthusiasm and a personal meeting between Mbappe and Klopp during that period, the forward decided against accepting Liverpool's proposal. Mbappe stated that he was unwilling to listen to the offer because his heart was set on playing in his hometown of Paris, adding that he did not wish to leave France until he had developed further as a player.
With no agreement reached between the parties involved, the prospective deal collapsed. Mbappe subsequently signed for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017, initially joining on a season-long loan before making the move permanent the following year.
Mbappe's rise at Monaco and Paris
Mbappe first established himself as one of Europe's most exciting young talents during his breakthrough campaign at AS Monaco. Based in the Principality of Monaco on the French Riviera and competing in French top-flight football in Ligue 1, the club is renowned for developing world-class talent and provided the platform for Mbappe to help secure a domestic league title and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2017.
His move to Paris Saint-Germain marked the start of a dominant domestic era in the French capital. Operating out of the Parc des Princes stadium, Paris Saint-Germain built their squad around Mbappe, who went on to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer while capturing six Ligue 1 titles and reaching the Champions League final in 2020. During this period, Mbappe also starred for the France national team, winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Jurgen Klopp's legacy at Liverpool
At the time of the transfer discussions, Liverpool were establishing themselves as a European powerhouse under German manager Jurgen Klopp. Appointed in October 2015, Klopp transformed the Merseyside club with his famous high-intensity pressing style of football, leading Liverpool to UEFA Champions League victory in 2019 and their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020 during his nearly decade-long tenure before stepping down in 2024.
The club's historic home ground, Anfield, located in Liverpool, North West England, has hosted matches since 1892 and is world-renowned for its intense matchday atmosphere and famous Kop stand. It was this unique environment that captivated Mbappe's mother during her scouting trip to the city.
New chapter at Real Madrid
After seven prolific seasons in Paris, Mbappe departed Paris Saint-Germain upon the expiration of his contract in 2024 to join Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer. Real Madrid, who compete in Spanish top-flight football in LaLiga EA Sports and play at the historic Santiago Bernabeu stadium, represent the most successful club in European football history with 15 Champions League titles and 36 domestic league championships.
Now leading the attack for the Spanish champions in Madrid, Mbappe's revelation highlights how close the French star came to taking a dramatically different path to the English Premier League early in his decorated career.
