Klopp remembers, during the warm-up, the failed attempt to
By OnzeActu · · 5 min read

During a commentary for MagentaTV before the France-Morocco quarter-final, Jürgen Klopp confided that Liverpool had sought to sign Kylian Mbappé in 2017, but that the player had ultimately chosen PSG. Klopp also recalls the success the same summer with Mohamed Salah.
According to Vi.
Context
Kylian Mbappé, who shone with AS Monaco before joining PSG, has become an essential player for his club and the national team. His performances at the World Cup and in Ligue 1 make him a player that Klopp and other coaches admire and want to recruit.
Why it matters
Jürgen Klopp's anecdote about his attempt to sign Kylian Mbappé in 2017 highlights the enormous potential of the young striker, who has since emerged as one of the stars of world football. His choice to join Paris Saint-Germain not only shaped his career, but also had a significant impact on the dynamics of European clubs, particularly during the Football World Cup.
Key points
- Klopp remembers, during the warm-up, the failed attempt.
- During a commentary for MagentaTV before the France-Morocco quarter-final, Jürgen Klopp said that Liverpool had sought to sign Kylian Mbappé in 2017, but that the player had ultimately chosen PSG.
- Kylian Mbappé remains central to Liverpool's plans.
Jürgen Klopp offered, on Thursday, a transfer window anecdote from the sidelines where he commented on the meeting between France and Morocco for MagentaTV. As both teams warmed up, the former Liverpool manager – and future Germany coach – reflected on the summer 2017 transfer window, explaining that he had “negotiated with three of these players and none came”.
The suspense quickly focused on Kylian Mbappé: Klopp confirmed that the young French striker was among the Reds' targets. “We flew from Liverpool to Nice,” Klopp said. “Mbappé’s whole family was there. The group found themselves on a private jet. We flew around France, chatted with family and ate very well. It was great, but Mbappé chose Paris Saint-Germain. »
The story serves as an illustration: in the summer of 2017, Mbappé was coming off an exceptional season with AS Monaco, where he had just been crowned champion and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. At just 18 years old, he became one of the most sought-after players in Europe, which explains the numerous meetings and negotiations reported by Klopp.
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The same transfer window, however, smiled on Liverpool on another issue: Klopp recalls that, in 2017, he brought about the arrival of Mohamed Salah – a decisive arrival for the club. Salah, symbol of this recruitment success, left Anfield in May after nine seasons, the technician recalls in his remarks.
Beyond the anecdote, this reminder echoes the very different trajectories taken by two young talents at the same period: one chose a Parisian project, the other launched his career in the Premier League. Klopp, who managed Liverpool from autumn 2015 until mid-2024, recounts these episodes with the perspective of a major player in the transfer window of recent years.
This confession, held on the sidelines of a World Cup match, also highlights the unexpected and family element in major transfers: even careful meetings, on private planes and in the presence of loved ones, do not guarantee the hoped-for outcome. For Liverpool, the failure on Mbappé was compensated by the success of Salah, but Klopp's story remains a piece of transfer market history, told at the heart of the World Cup.
The rest
As France prepares for the quarter-final against Morocco, Mbappé's performance will be closely scrutinized. If the striker continues his momentum, he could play a key role in France's quest for another World Cup title, boosting their reputation on the international stage.
Frequently asked questions
What did Jürgen Klopp reveal about Kylian Mbappé?
Jürgen Klopp has confirmed that Kylian Mbappé is among Liverpool's targets in the summer 2017 transfer window.
Who confirmed Liverpool's interest in Mbappé?
It was Jürgen Klopp who confirmed Liverpool's interest in Kylian Mbappé.
Why is Klopp talking about this anecdote now?
Klopp shared this anecdote during a commentary of the meeting between France and Morocco for MagentaTV.
Who were Liverpool's other targets in 2017 according to Klopp?
Klopp mentioned having negotiated with three players, but did not prec
ized who they were.
What changes have taken place for Liverpool in 2017?
In 2017, Liverpool managed to recruit Mohamed Salah, which was decisive for the club.
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