Mikel Arteta responds to Kylian Mbappe to Arsenal transfer speculation

Arsene Wenger nearly signed the France international when he was at Monaco.

Feb 16, 2024 - 12:00
0 7
Mikel Arteta responds to Kylian Mbappe to Arsenal transfer speculation
Kylian Mbappe of PSG in action during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Sociedad at Parc des Princes.
Arsenal have been rumoured with a move for PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta hopes Arsenal will be in the race to sign Kylian Mbappe but conceded Real Madrid is the likely destination for the Paris Saint-Germain forward.

Mbappe put Europe’s top clubs on high alert when it was confirmed he would not take up the offer of a contract extension and will instead leave PSG at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 243 goals across 290 games for the French champions, is expected to join Real Madrid who came close to signing Mbappe in August 2021 with a bid of €220m.

However, reports in the week have suggested that Arsenal could well be another club that appeals to the World Cup winner, giving him the chance to follow in the footsteps of his biggest hero, Thierry Henry.

But while Arteta did not rule out a summer move for Mbappe, the Spaniard did suggest that Madrid were the favourites for his signature.

‘When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation,’ the Spaniard said at his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Burnley.

‘But as you said it looks in a different way [that Mbappe will end up signing for Real Madrid].’

Kylian Mbappé of PSG in action during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Sociedad.
Kylian Mbappe has scored 242 goals in 289 games for PSG (Picture: Getty)

Any move for Mbappe would require a significant wage offering for the French international but, with the north Londoners not keen to break their wage structure, Mbappe would have to reduce his demands.

Mbappe would still have to take a pay cut to join Madrid but the Spanish club are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in their history.

Clubs are expected to approach Mbappe once his exit terms with PSG are finalised.

On the pitch, Arsenal travel to face Burnley on Saturday as they look to make it five wins from five to start the year for the first time in the club’s history.

The Gunners could well be in line to welcome back key players such as Gabriel Jesus. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jorginho to their squad.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Read More