# Mbappe almost joined Liverpool in 2016

> The Real Madrid star reveals how close he came to signing for the Reds as an 18-year-old, and why his mother wanted him to move to Anfield.
- Title: Mbappe almost joined Liverpool in 2016 · BBC Sport | Shortify
- Summary: The Real Madrid star reveals how close he came to signing for the Reds as an 18-year-old, and why his mother wanted him to move to Anfield. Mbappe turned…
- Keywords: kylian mbappe, liverpool, real madrid, paris saint-germain, jurgen klopp, transfer, 2016, monaco, france, anfield, sports, Mbappe
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c68042y9l4kno
- Published: 2026-09-22T15:58:22.478+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kylian mbappe, liverpool, real madrid, paris saint-germain, jurgen klopp, transfer, 2016, monaco, france, anfield, sports
## Mbappe was close to Liverpool
At 18, while playing for Monaco, Mbappe nearly joined Liverpool. The club made a serious push to sign him, but he chose Paris Saint-Germain instead.

> I was close to [joining] Liverpool. The favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool.
## His mother loved Anfield
Mbappe's mum was a big fan of Jurgen Klopp and wanted her son to move to Liverpool. She visited Anfield, watched games, and fell in love with the club.

> She went to Anfield and fell in love with it. She watched a few games alone, to feel the atmosphere.
## Liverpool pulled out all stops
Klopp revealed the club sent a private jet from Blackpool to Nice to collect Mbappe's family. They flew in circles while discussing the move and serving good food.

> We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food.
## He chose Paris instead
Mbappe decided to join PSG because he wanted to prove himself as a star in his hometown. Born and raised in Paris, he felt there was no better feeling than succeeding there.

> I took the decision to go to PSG because for me, born and raised in Paris, there was no better feeling.
## Seven years at PSG
Mbappe joined PSG on loan with a 180 million euro option to buy. He spent seven years there, becoming the club's record scorer before moving to Real Madrid in 2024.
## Key takeaway

Mbappe turned down Liverpool at 18 because he wanted to prove himself in Paris first, despite his mother's strong preference for the Merseyside club.