Kylian Mbappé reveals near-transfer to Liverpool during his early career at Monaco

French football icon Kylian Mbappé has provided a fascinating glimpse into a major turning point in his early career, revealing that he was remarkably close to signing for Liverpool back in 2016. During his breakout years at AS Monaco, the then-18-year-old forward was the subject of intense speculation and interest from various European powerhouses. According to Mbappé, the Merseyside club made a significant effort to bring him to Anfield, a move that would have fundamentally altered the landscape of the Premier League and European football at the time.

A compelling aspect of this near-transfer was the influence of Mbappé's family, particularly his mother. The forward noted that his mother is a dedicated supporter of Liverpool and was particularly enamored with the club's historic stadium and the passionate atmosphere generated by the fans at Anfield. Despite her personal preference and the affection she held for the club, Mbappé ultimately decided to pursue a different trajectory. At that stage of his career, he was one of the most sought-after teenagers in the world, having played a pivotal role in leading Monaco to a surprise Ligue 1 title and the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

While the move to the Premier League did not come to fruition in 2016, the revelation underscores the high esteem in which Liverpool’s recruitment team held the young Frenchman. Mbappé would go on to join Paris Saint-Germain in a landmark deal in 2017, eventually becoming the club's all-time leading scorer and a World Cup winner with France before his recent high-profile move to Real Madrid. For Liverpool supporters, the news serves as a bittersweet reminder of a missed opportunity to pair one of the world's greatest talents with the club's modern era of success.