Despite reports, Kylian Mbappé has not been promised a guaranteed place ahead of Radamel Falcao in the Monaco side next season as the hype around the teenager continues to build.

18-years-old and under contract with Monaco until 2019, L’Equipe challenge rumours that  the player has been given guarantees that he would be a first-team starter ahead of a rejuvenated Falcao next season. The respected French paper claim this is not true.

Mbappé’s list of admirers is as impressive as it is long. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham, Barcelona and Real Madrid all join Arsenal in coveting the forward.

Arsene Wenger recently admitted that he was very interested in the player and it is rumoured that Mbappé rejected the chance to join Arsenal in the summer. Now that he has brought himself to the attention of the football-watching public with his goal against Manchester City, speculation is growing.

Monaco, for their part, have absolutely no intention of losing their rising star. They want to get negotiations underway to secure the player to a new contract, one that protects their financial interests – and ensures that the player is happy to stay, at least financially.

L’Equipe also highlight that it was no coincidence that Mbappé started against Manchester City ‘on the occasion of a crucial meeting’. He did not start any of their six Champions League group games.

Mbappé came through the ranks at Monaco after arriving at the club from AS Bondy when he was just 14. Back in October, his father Wilfrid, who was a coach at Bondy when his son was with the junior team, hit out at Monaco for not keeping their promises to his son.

“This is also why I do not really understand the strategy,” he said.

“I do not see what they have to gain from this situation that creates more frustration. It does not make Kylian happy and it shows on his face during the week.

“Some will say he is only seventeen years old, needs to calm down, but it’s not impatience, because the club themselves said he would play. As he needs at his age, there will be a reflection ahead of the winter transfer window.”

At the time of those comments, Mbappé had played just two Ligue 1 games (although he suffered a head injury that kept him sidelined for three league games).

He has now played in 18 league games, scoring seven and assisting six. With 12 goals and eight assists over 1,120 minutes in all competitions this season, his goal involvement rate is 56 minutes. At 18.

It’s no wonder so many clubs want him. Nor that Monaco are desperate to hold on to him.