{
  "id": 9158596,
  "title": "I was close to joining Liverpool in 2016 - Mbappe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/i-was-close-to-joining-liverpool-in-2016-mbappe",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T15:58:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c68042y9l4kno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2016, French football superstar Kylian Mbappe was on the brink of signing with Liverpool, but ultimately opted to join Paris St-Germain. The 18-year-old Frenchman from Monaco had caught the eye of the Reds, who went to great lengths to secure his services.\n\nLiverpool's former manager, Jurgen Klopp, recounted how the club arranged a private jet and lavish accommodations for Mbappe and his family. The club even took every opportunity to showcase the club to the young striker's mother, who was a fervent fan of Klopp's.\n\nMbappe's mother, enamored with the idea of her son playing at Anfield, went to great lengths to pursue the move. She traveled to Liverpool, visited the stadium, and met with club officials. She was captivated by the atmosphere and the club's reputation as a family-run institution.\n\nDespite his mother's enthusiasm, Mbappe made the difficult decision to stay in his hometown of Paris. He felt that playing in his city would give him the chance to become a household name and cement his legacy as a French football icon.\n\nMbappe's career in Paris flourished, and he went on to become the club's record scorer. In 2024, he made a high-profile move to Real Madrid, ending his seven-year stint with Paris St-Germain.",
  "summary": "Kylian Mbappe says his mum was a \"big fan\" of Jurgen Klopp and wanted her son to move to Merseyside.",
  "key_points": [
    "French star Kylian Mbappe was close to joining Liverpool in 2016.",
    "Liverpool arranged private jet and lavish accommodations for Mbappe and family.",
    "Mbappe's mother visited Liverpool, fell in love with club, but he stayed in Paris."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "I was close to joining Liverpool in 2016 - Mbappe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/i-was-close-to-joining-liverpool-in-2016-mbappe-9159005",
        "published": "2026-09-22T15:58:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}