Full Breakdown
Liverpool’s 2017 “Most Expensive Non-Transfer” – The Near-Miss with Kylian Mbappé
7/11/2026, 12:44:59 PM
The 2017 Attempt
In the summer of 2017 Liverpool flew a delegation from Blackpool to Nice to meet 18-year-old Kylian Mbappé and his family. The club arranged a private jet with five cabins, kept the aircraft circling to avoid media attention, and served a full meal while discussing a possible move to Anfield. Despite the elaborate pitch, Mbappé ultimately signed for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on loan, later completing a permanent transfer.
Background & Context
Mbappé had burst onto the scene with AS Monaco, helping the club win Ligue 1 and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2016-17. Liverpool, under Jürgen Klopp (manager 2015-2024), were rebuilding and seeking a generational forward. PSG, backed by Qatar Sports Investments, and Real Madrid were also in the race. The competition culminated in PSG securing Mbappé on loan with a mandatory purchase clause worth €180 million (?£153 million) in 2018.
Key Figures & Groups
- Jürgen Klopp – Liverpool manager who disclosed the private-jet negotiations on Magenta TV during the 2026 World Cup.
- Kylian Mbappé – French forward, then a Monaco teenager, now a Real Madrid star and 2026 World Cup top scorer.
- Fayza Lamari – Mbappé’s mother and primary advisor, a lifelong Liverpool fan.
- Paris Saint-Germain – Club that ultimately signed Mbappé for €180 million.
- Real Madrid – Club that acquired Mbappé on a free transfer in 2024 after his PSG contract expired.
Data & Statistics
- PSG’s permanent fee: €180 million (£153 million).
- Liverpool’s later signings that season: Mohamed Salah (£34 million), Virgil van Dijk (£75 million), Andy Robertson (£8 million).
- Mbappé’s 2026 World Cup tally at the time of the interview: 8 goals, leading the tournament’s scoring chart.
- Private-jet operation involved a five-room aircraft and continuous circling over the Mediterranean to remain unseen.
Why It Matters
Had Liverpool secured Mbappé, the club’s attacking line-up could have featured a trio of Salah, Mane and Mbappé, potentially altering Premier League and Champions League outcomes. The episode also highlights the widening financial gap between traditional Premier League clubs and state-backed entities like PSG, where even an “all-out” recruitment effort could not match a €180 million package.
Official Statements & Responses
- Jürgen Klopp (Magenta TV, 2026): “The most expensive non-transfer we [Liverpool] invested in.”
- Jürgen Klopp (same interview): “We flew from Blackpool to Nice. In Nice, the entire Mbappé family boarded a private jet with five rooms or something.”
- Jürgen Klopp (same interview): “We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food.”
- Kylian Mbappé (2022 interview): “I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum; my mum loves Liverpool.”
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts note that Liverpool’s inability to match PSG’s wage structure and transfer budget was the decisive factor. The club’s later reliance on comparatively modest signings—Salah, van Dijk, Robertson—demonstrates a strategic pivot after the failed pursuit.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact financial figures surrounding the saga: some cite a €180 million permanent fee, others reference £166 million or a reported €200 million bid from Liverpool. One outlet even described the private-jet effort as “roughly €500 million,” a likely hyperbole lacking corroboration. No public record details the actual cost of the jet operation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The most expensive non-transfer we [Liverpool] invested in,” — Jürgen Klopp
- “The most expensive non-transfer we [Liverpool] invested in. We flew from Blackpool to Nice. In Nice, the entire Mbappe family boarded a private jet with five rooms or something.” — Jürgen Klopp
- “We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food.” — Jürgen Klopp
- “I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum; my mum loves Liverpool.” — Kylian Mbappé
- “It was fantastic.” — Jürgen Klopp
The revelation, delivered moments after France’s 2-0 World Cup quarter-final win over Morocco, offers a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of elite football transfers and the thin line between a historic signing and a missed opportunity.
