“Mbappé is a kind of player Arsenal should be looking to acquire said” said Mikel Arteta. However, he conceded that the French international seems destined to join Real Madrid.
According to ESPN’s report on Thursday, Kylian Mbappé has conveyed his intention to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season. Sources suggest that Real Madrid is anticipating signing the highly coveted forward.
When asked about the potential interest in Kylian Mbappé, Mikel Arteta stated, “When there is a player of that calibre, we always have to be in the conversation. But as you said, it looks in a different way [that Mbappé is joining Madrid].” Pressed further on whether Arsenal was actively pursuing Mbappé, Arteta mentioned, “I am not! Maybe Edu [the technical director] and the owners are, but I am not in those conversations until the last stage.” He emphasized the need for top talent if Arsenal aims to be the best team but acknowledged potential financial constraints due to Financial Fair Play rules and the club’s current wage structure.
Discussing Arsenal’s appeal to elite players, Mikel Arteta emphasized the club’s historical significance, stating, “The club we are, I don’t think that has ever been an issue. Everybody wants to play for Arsenal.” He highlighted the positive reactions from players during discussions, attributing it to the club’s rich history and past achievements.
Notably, Arsenal had previously attempted to lure Kylian Mbappé to North London during Arsene Wenger’s tenure. Wenger revealed meeting with Mbappé in 2016 when the young player was uncertain about extending his contract with AS Monaco. Arsenal also had a €100 million bid rejected in 2017, a year before Mbappé joined PSG. Despite the interest from Arsenal, Mbappé ultimately chose Paris Saint-Germain, citing his family’s influence on the decision-making process.
