Jurgen Klopp already hinted at Liverpool's failed move for Kylian Mbappe after transfer bombshell

Jurgen Klopp may have hinted at a failed attempt from Liverpool to sign Kylian Mbappe last year as new reports suggest the Reds were closer to the transfer than anyone had realized.

Mbappe has been linked with a move to Anfield throughout his career, with previous reports having suggested he held talks with Liverpool owner John Henry on his private jet when he was on his way out of Monaco in 2017.

The French superstar has also fuelled the rumors himself, having previously revealed he did indeed speak to Liverpool seven years ago . It’s now claimed though that the Reds made another attempt to land the former PSG star since then .

• Liverpool sent Jamal Musiala message after 'private' transfer talks with Man Utd
• Harvey Elliott dealt huge injury blow as Liverpool midfielder suffers broken foot

According to L’Equipe , Mbappe had agreed terms with Liverpool on a short-term deal back in 2022, having been left feeling betrayed by Paris Saint-Germain just months after signing a new deal. The Reds are said to have tabled a bid worth $220m (£168m), although even that proved too little for the French giant.

PSG are said to have wanted double that for the forward, with any hopes of a move to Merseyside collapsing. A year after this drama supposedly unfolded, former Liverpool boss Klopp may well have hinted at the failed transfer when he was asked about the constant links with Mbappe .

"We laugh about it," Klopp told Sky Sports at the time. "I can say that I think he's a really good player but the financial conditions don't suit us at all. I wouldn't like to ruin the story now... but as far as I know, there's nothing to it.

"It's possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me... that hasn't happened in the eight years that I've been here. That would be the first time."

PSG would end up missing out on any fee for Mbappe as he ran his contract down before securing a free transfer to Real Madrid earlier this year. Since completing his move to the Bernabeu, the 25-year-old has scored three goals in five games, including one against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.

Liverpool.com says: It’s hard to imagine Liverpool would have ever been willing to shell out that much money for a ‘short-term deal’, even if it was for Mbappe. There has always been a mutual respect between the Reds and the French superstar though, so it wouldn’t be a huge shock if he had looked toward Anfield for some salvation from PSG.

If PSG did demand double what Liverpool was offering, then the Reds were wise to call off the whole thing. It would have been fascinating to see possibly the world’s best player turning out at Anfield week in, week out though.