Klopp's phone call with Mbappe's dad as fresh transfer pursuit launched

31 July 2023 , 06:00

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Klopp's phone call with Mbappe's dad as fresh transfer pursuit launched

Jurgen Klopp called Kylian Mbappe’s dad in an effort to push through a move to Liverpool.

The Frenchman is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer. He has already confirmed that he will not be signing a new contract at the Parc des Princes. Saudi side Al-Hilal have already attempted to secure his services with a huge £259m bid.

That offer was accepted by PSG but Mbappe has refused to engage in talks. That has opened the door to Liverpool who are in talks over what would be a sensational loan move. It is not the first time that the Reds have attempted to sign the 2018 World Cup winner.

Reports in France back in 2020 claimed that Reds boss Klopp had got in touch with Mbappe’s dad in an effort to convince the striker to move to Anfield. While Klopp’s call did not seal the striker’s signature, Mbappe himself confirmed that discussions had taken place.

“We talked a little bit, but not too much,” the Frenchman claimed. "We talked a little bit. I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum, my mum loves Liverpool.

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"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.”

Liverpool have revived their interest in PSG star Kylian Mbappe (Getty Images)

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While Klopp stopped short of confirming that he had called Mbappe’s Dad - or indeed the French striker himself - he did admit that he was a huge fan. However, he also suggested that the Reds would not be able to afford a move.

He said: “Of course we are interested in Kylian Mbappe, we are not blind! Actually nothing to say about that. Between Kylian and Liverpool, it’s all set. It’s all fine.

“We of course like him, if we didn’t like him we’d have to question ourselves. But we are not, we cannot, be part of these battles. There must be other clubs involved but that’s fine. He’s still a great player.”

While Liverpool are eyeing a fresh move for Mbappe, they face competition from Spanish giants Real Madrid. The La Liga side have long been linked with a move for the PSG star.

However, they have already spent heavily this summer with the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham for an initial fee of £88m. Real were thought to be on the lookout for a new forward following the departure of Karim Benzema.

Former Newcastle and Stoke forward Joselu was also signed on loan from Espanyol. Elsewhere, Liverpool have also spent heavily to bolster their squad with the combined £95m signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively.

Daniel Orme