Former manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up on Liverpool's failed bid to sign Kylian Mbappe, while Moses Simon has reflected on how his own switch to the Reds failed to materialize
09:07, 11 Jul 2026
Jurgen Klopp wanted to sign Kylian Mbappe at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp wanted to sign Kylian Mbappe at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
The majority of Liverpool's squad are due to return to the club's training ground next week to begin preseason preparations.
It has been a summer of considerable change at Anfield, with Arne Slot replaced by Andoni Iraola in the dugout. The club has yet to make a significant mark in the transfer market, however. Despite Victor Munoz from Osasuna being the sole acquisition this summer, it is widely anticipated that the Reds will invest further.
Liverpool.com's immediate focus, however, turns to two high-profile deals that ultimately fell through. Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken candidly about the club's extraordinary pursuit of French superstar Kylian Mbappe. Meanwhile, an international winger has shed light on how his own proposed move to Liverpool failed to come off.
Klopp on Mbappe
Klopp has revealed the details of Liverpool's attempts to secure Mbappe's signature during the French sensation's time at Monaco.
Speculation has long been circulating that the Anfield club made a serious attempt to bring the forward to Merseyside. Klopp has now confirmed those rumors to be well-founded, disclosing that he held face-to-face discussions with the star striker aboard a private jet.
Speaking during MagentaTV's coverage of France's World Cup quarterfinal win over Morocco on Thursday, Klopp said: "The most expensive non-transfer we [Liverpool] invested in.
Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world
Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world(Image: Getty Images)
"We flew from Blackpool to Nice. In Nice, the entire Mbappe family boarded a private jet with five rooms or something.
"We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food. We flew in a circle. It was fantastic. And then he went to Paris."
Mbappe eventually put pen to paper with Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Real Madrid. He currently tops the World Cup Golden Boot standings with eight goals and has found the back of the net 86 times in 103 outings for Los Blancos.
Reds regret
Paris FC winger Moses Simon has revealed how close he came to joining Liverpool.
The 30-year-old is fresh from completing his first campaign with the Ligue 1 outfit following his transfer from Nantes. He has carved out a decent career spanning Belgium, France and representing the Nigerian national side.
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However, things might have turned out quite differently. In conversation with Urban Dwell Sport, he revealed: "From 2016 to 2018, I dropped in form because I wanted to make a transfer.
"Liverpool wanted to sign me, I think Hull City, Fulham, Brighton, Tottenham, and Lyon also. We played against them in the Europa League in 2017. But, you know, when you read all this in the newspapers, some are true while some are rumors.
"So the first year, I didn't make it. I didn't get a transfer. The second year, I was supposed to go to Liverpool. It didn't work. In my head, I was like, 'Is it the agent or the club? I don't want to play.' So I was putting it in my head, 'Whether I play or I don't play, I don't care.'"