Manager Jurgen Klopp has lifted the lid on private transfer talks between Liverpool and Kylian Mbappé, ahead of the French striker’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Manager Jurgen Klopp talks about the Liverpool transfer negotiations with Kylian Mbappe (Image: Magenta TV)
Jurgen Klopp has revealed how Liverpool tried to woo Kylian Mbappe with a luxury private jet when they tried to sign him and his family ahead of his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappé has developed into one of Europe’s most dangerous strikers in recent years, first in Paris and then in Spain after joining Real Madrid. But the 27-year-old was the center of attention among Premier League fans long before he moved to the French capital with Liverpool.
It is no secret that Mbappe was considering joining the Reds before opting for a move to PSG following transfer negotiations.
But then-Liverpool manager Klopp revealed further details about how club bosses met with Mbappe and his family at a time when the Frenchman was considering his next move in Monaco.
In his role as a pundit for Magenta TV, which broadcasts the World Cup, he spoke before France’s quarter-final victory over Mbappé’s Morocco. “It was the most expensive transfer we (Liverpool) ever invested in. We flew from Blackpool to Nice, where the whole Mbappe family got on a private jet with five rooms or so.”
“We really gave it our all. Then we jumped around in circles, talked to our families, ate delicious food…”
Asked by a colleague why the plane just flew in a circle during the flight, Klopp explained: “We couldn’t see. We flew in a circle. It was amazing. And he went to Paris!”
Klopp, who was seen hugging Mbappe on the pitch after France scored the first goal in a 2-0 win, is set to make an unexpected return to management in a role that could put him in conflict with Mbappe and others at Euro 2028.
Kylian Mbappé scores his eighth World Cup goal as France beat Morocco 2-0 (Image: (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images))
Klopp, who has taken on a non-coaching role as Red Bull’s head of global football, is the overwhelming favorite to succeed Julian Nagelsmann as Germany’s national team coach.
Klopp confirmed that he had already been approached last week, saying: “Things have progressed quite quickly. Julian has resigned. The DFB (German Football Association) is looking for a replacement and they are talking to me.”
“What needs to happen now? It’s time. I have a contract with Red Bull. I have said that I am interested in negotiations. This is not just a Julian Nagelsmann issue, so the negotiations will be intensive.”
“I have an existing contract with Red Bull. I have said many times how much I enjoy this job. As an individual, I usually respect the contract. But I have also made it clear that I am interested in negotiations with the DFB.”
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