Kylian Mbappé has revealed that a secret meeting with then-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp brought the English club close to securing his signature before his eventual high-profile transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Secret Meeting and Liverpool’s Push for the Young Forward
Reports from multiple outlets, including Goal.com and Yahoo Actualités, detail that the French superstar held discussions with Jürgen Klopp regarding a potential move to Anfield. According to those accounts, the talks involved a private meeting where Liverpool made a strong pitch to acquire the young forward.
Reflecting on that period of his career, Mbappé acknowledged how close he came to choosing the Merseyside club. Media reports quoting the player indicate that family enthusiasm played a role in the discussions, with accounts noting that the forward’s mother was particularly receptive to the project presented by the German manager during their secret gathering.
Why Mbappé Chose Paris Saint-Germain
Despite heavy interest from foreign clubs like Liverpool, Mbappé ultimately decided to remain in his home country. In an interview with the official Paris Saint-Germain club magazine, club legend Pauleta asked the forward about his underlying motivation to join the Ligue 1 giants.
As reported by Le10Sport, the French international explained that his decision required deep reflection rather than a quick impulse. “Yes. I’ve reflected, I didn’t take such a decision in two minutes,” Mbappé stated in the club’s publication. He detailed his fear of fading into obscurity if he left France too early in his development.
“I told myself that if I left then my country, like a hope who evolved at the highest level for only six months, well nobody would have remembered me,” Mbappé told the PSG magazine, as recorded by Le10Sport. “There are so many players who have passed through Ligue 1 whom we don’t remember today. Me, I didn’t want that. The Paris Saint-Germain gave me this opportunity to stay in my country and I am proud of it.”
Career Trajectory and Market Standing
That choice shaped the opening chapter of Mbappé’s senior career. Initially arriving on a loan deal from AS Monaco in 2017 before completing a permanent transfer in 2018, the forward quickly established himself as a dominant force in French football. During those formative seasons in Paris, he climbed to the top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts and earned recognition as one of the most valuable young players in world football.
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