Kylian Mbappe almost signed for Liverpool years ago with more details having now surfaced
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 09: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France is congratulated by Jurgen Klopp after the team's 2-0 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 09, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Klopp and Mbappe met after France's World Cup win over Morocco on Thursday(Image: Michael Regan - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
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The bulk of Liverpool players will return to the club's training ground next week for pre-season preparations. A summer of change for the Reds has witnessed Arne Slot replaced by Andoni Iraola.
The club have yet to truly demonstrate their financial muscle in the transfer window, though. Despite only bringing in Victor Munoz from Osasuna thus far this summer, anticipation is that the Reds will invest further.
The Reds' pre-season has also been rocked by the news that Michael Edwards, the CEO of club owners Fenway Sports Group has left his post. However, today's latest centres on two significant transfers that ultimately fell through.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken candidly about the Reds' extraordinary pursuit of French icon Kylian Mbappe. Meanwhile, an international winger has reflected on how his transfer to Liverpool collapsed.
Jurgen Klopp opens up on Mbappe move
Klopp has revealed details of Liverpool's bid to sign Mbappe while the French star was representing Monaco. Speculation has circulated for some considerable time that the Anfield side attempted to secure the striker's services.
Klopp has now confirmed that the rumours are in fact accurate. The German revealed he conducted discussions with the superstar forward aboard a private jet.
Speaking during MagentaTV's coverage of France's World Cup quarter-final victory against Morocco on Thursday, Klopp said: "The most expensive non-transfer we [Liverpool] invested in.
Kylian Mbappe (L) and German coach Jurgen Klopp talk after the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between France and Morocco
Kylian Mbappe and Jurgen Klopp talk after the 2026 World Cup quarter-final match between France and Morocco(Image: Getty)
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"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 signed for Paris Saint-Germain and now represents Real Madrid. He is presently topping the World Cup Golden Boot standings with eight goals and has found the net 86 times in 103 outings for Los Blancos.
Winger reveals Reds regret
Paris FC winger Moses Simon has disclosed how he came close to joining Liverpool. The 30-year-old is fresh from his debut season with the Ligue 1 outfit following a move from Nantes.
He has enjoyed a prosperous career spanning Belgium, France and the Nigerian national side. But it could all have turned out quite differently.
Speaking in an interview with Urban Dwell Sport, he said: "From 2016 to 2018, I dropped in form because I wanted to make a transfer.
Moses Simon of Nigeria during the International Friendly match between Portugal and Nigeria at Estadio Dr Magalhaes Pessoa on June 10, 2026
Moses Simon opened up on his failed Liverpool switch(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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"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 rumours. 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."
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