Klopp breaks rank and opens up about £215m Kylian Mbappe speculation

Matthew Briggs 09 Nov 2019 9:32 AM

Jurgen Klopp has apologised for “killing” the Kylian Mbappe to Liverpool story after speaking about transfers to the press.

The German coach broke rank on Friday and was content to talk about transfer speculation after the club were this week linked with a sensational £215m move for Mbappe.

The 20-year-old has starred for PSG since arriving on loan in 2017, eventually joining for €180million, and is also a major target for LaLiga giants Real Madrid.

El Desmarque have claimed Liverpool have the funds to sign the France international, but Klopp who met the player’s family members in an bid to convince him to sign for Liverpool two years ago, says they have “absolutely no chance” of signing the player.

“Buying this calibre of player is difficult,” said Klopp. “I don’t see any club at the moment who can buy Kylian Mbappe from PSG. I don’t see any club, that is how it is. And we are involved in the clubs that cannot do it. It is as easy as that.

“OK, from a sporting point of view, there are not a lot of reasons to not sign him. What a player he is. But it is about the money of course. No chance. Absolutely no chance. Sorry for killing that story.”

Klopp though does believe his team’s status as European champions and their position as Premier League title contenders has made Anfield a desired destination for the the world’s best talent.

Klopp added: “I don’t think we struggle with convincing players. When you speak to a player you can feel it, this year, last year, even three years ago, you can see in the eyes of a player, I am not sure if honour is the right word, that it is good that we speak to them.

“The club is in a very good position. Image-wise, it maybe always was but now I think it is easier to live the life of a Liverpool supporter and that means automatically being in a situation to sign the players you want to sign.”