Liverpool’s Ambitious Mbappe Pursuit: Private Jets and Secret Meetings Revealed
Private jets and secret talks – Jurgen Klopp recently shared an intriguing chapter from his time managing Liverpool, detailing an elaborate attempt to secure the services of Kylian Mbappe before the French star moved to Paris Saint-Germain. The German manager described how his club went to extraordinary lengths to persuade the young talent, arranging a private jet journey and an exclusive dining experience.
While Mbappe has since become synonymous with Real Madrid after his high-profile move in 2024, his career trajectory nearly unfolded differently. The World Cup has provided fresh context for this story, as the French forward has been in sensational form, netting eight goals across six matches for his national team during the tournament.
A Secret Mission to Nice
The pivotal moment came after Liverpool watched Mbappe guide France past Morocco to reach the semi-finals. Klopp then opened up about the efforts made to attract the teenager to Anfield, describing what he called the club’s most expensive non-transfer investment at that time.
With Mbappe, it was before he went to Paris. The most expensive non-transfer [Liverpool] ever made. We flew from Blackpool to Nice. In Nice, the whole Mbappe family boarded a private jet with five cabins. We really went big. Then we flew around in circles and had a delicious meal. We weren’t allowed to be seen. It was great – and then he went to Paris.
The operation was conducted with considerable secrecy. Liverpool’s delegation traveled from Blackpool to the French Riviera, where they hosted the entire Mbappe family aboard a luxurious private aircraft featuring five separate cabins. Rather than rushing through the visit, the group took time to enjoy themselves, circling in the sky before settling down for an elaborate meal. Discretion was paramount, with strict instructions ensuring no one spotted the high-profile meeting.
The Financial Picture
At the time of Liverpool’s pursuit, Mbappe was just seventeen years old. Despite the club’s best efforts, the Frenchman ultimately chose to join Paris Saint-Germain. He initially arrived on a one-year loan deal, with a substantial fee of £153 million, equivalent to approximately €180 million, being paid the following year.
While Mbappe headed to France, Liverpool turned their attention elsewhere. The club secured the signature of Mohamed Salah for £36.5 million during that same summer window. The Egyptian forward would go on to become one of the club’s most prolific scorers, tallying 257 goals across 442 appearances for Liverpool.
Mbappe’s Subsequent Journey
Mbappe’s seven-year spell at PSG proved highly successful. The forward accumulated 256 goals for the French club before making his move to Real Madrid in 2024. Now twenty-seven years old, he continues to perform at the highest level, currently leading the race for the World Cup Golden Boot.
His eight-goal tally places him level with Lionel Messi and gives him a one-goal advantage over Erling Haaland, who has scored seven. Additionally, Mbappe sits at twenty goals in World Cup history, just one behind Messi’s record of twenty-one goals in the tournament’s all-time standings.
Klopp’s Future Prospects
Beyond the Mbappe story, Klopp faces potential changes in his own career. Following Germany’s elimination from the World Cup in the round of 32 against Paraguay, Julian Nagelsmann stepped down from his position. This development has positioned Klopp as a strong candidate to take over as head coach of the German national team.
The revelation of Liverpool’s private jet mission to Nice adds another layer to Klopp’s managerial legacy. It demonstrates the lengths to which the club was willing to go to secure one of football’s brightest young talents, even if those efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful. The story serves as a reminder of how close Liverpool came to having a different future with one of the world’s most celebrated players.
