Liverpool have been linked with several blockbuster signings in the past, but few have rarely actually got over the line.
You can put Kylian Mbappe firmly into that category. And fresh reports are once again linking the Reds with a sensational move for the Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Liverpool’s interest in Mbappe dates back over five years when the Frenchman was a teenager at Monaco. It's believed that Jurgen Klopp spoke with the forward about a move to Anfield and the Reds stepped up their interest from there.
Indeed, FSG chief John W. Henry, the principal owner at Liverpool, is widely believed to have taken the player's family on a private jet tour around Nice bay for a couple of hours while having a chat about his future.
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A move never materialised, and while Mbappe would instead stay in his homeland by choosing to move to Paris-Saint Germain, the summer of 2019 saw him linked with a move to Anfield again.
Liverpool, fresh from winning the Champions League, were said to be plotting a sensational deal to finally land the forward.
Such reports gathered pace, in no place more than within the Liverpool fan base. The speculation led to the tagline of ‘Mbappe2020’ trending on social media.
As we know, Mbappe would not sign for Liverpool in 2020. That summer was, of course, very different to most years, with the Covid-19 pandemic hindering the transfer spending of almost every club across the globe.
In the years since, rumours linking Liverpool with a move for Mbappe have never been extinguished entirely, but have certainly quietened down compared to what they once were. However, that changed last summer when a move seemed certain for the 23-year-old.
Mbappe seemed destined to move to Real Madrid. Reports claimed that personal terms had been agreed back in May, with his original deal with PSG set to expire a few weeks later.
In the end, though, Mbappe signed a new contract with PSG. His new deal runs until the summer of 2024, with the option of a further year. However, speculation has since emerged again indicating the France superstar will be making a transfer ahead of the new season.
Reports have claimed that Mbappe is earning a mammoth £650,000 per week in the French capital. It was also claimed that the player was handed an €100m (£87m) signing bonus, as well as a say on how the club is run.
This began with the appointment of Luis Campos as PSG’s new sporting director back in the summer. Campos was a friend of Mbappe from their days at Monaco, and reports claimed that the initial idea of his hiring began in the contract talks between the forward and PSG.
After signing his new deal, Mbappe even admitted that he did hold talks with Liverpool. He even added that he has a certain connection with the club, thanks to his family.
Speaking in May this year, Mbappe revealed he thought about joining Liverpool before deciding to stay at PSG.
“We talked a little bit, but not too much. We talked a little bit,” he told the Daily Telegraph. "I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum, my mum loves Liverpool. I don’t know why, you will have to ask her! It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club.”
A version of this article was originally published in November 2022.
