Kylian Mbappe has revealed Liverpool came close to signing him during his breakthrough season with Monaco, but the French superstar ultimately decided against a move to Anfield.
The Real Madrid striker has now confirmed that Liverpool discussed a move with him in 2017, when Jurgen Klopp was in charge of the Premier League giants. Mbappe was becoming one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe at the time and was attracting serious interest from several leading clubs.
Kylian Mbappe explains Liverpool snub
Mbappe told The Athletic that Liverpool are genuinely interested in signing him and that his mother is particularly keen on him moving to England.
However, the France international ultimately chose to stay in his home country and joined PSG on an initial loan deal before making the move permanent.
Mbappe has now outlined the thinking behind the decision, revealing the two key factors behind his choice.
The first was his desire to stay in Paris, with the opportunity to represent the club for his hometown team proving difficult to turn down. The second was his ambition to establish himself at the highest level of French football before eventually moving abroad.
The decision ultimately defined the next phase of his career, with Mbappe becoming one of PSG’s key players before completing a long-awaited move to Real Madrid.
Mbappe went on to become a global superstar
“That was when I was playing at Monaco. I had to make a decision. Yes, I was close to Liverpool,” Mbappe said in an interview. Competitor.
“My mum is a big Jurgen Klopp fan and my mum’s favorite destination is Liverpool. She wants me to go there.
“I didn’t listen because I wanted to play in my city, Paris. I didn’t want to leave my country until I became someone.”
Liverpool’s failure to sign Mbappe will naturally look different in hindsight, given the remarkable career the striker has built since leaving Monaco.
The Frenchman developed into one of the world’s most prolific attackers at Paris Saint-Germain, eventually realizing his ambition of playing for Real Madrid.