The potential transfer of Kylian Mbappe has been this summer’s hottest story, but what’s happened so far?

  • Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester City make opening bids
  • Arsenal’s £87m bid is rejected, but they return with improved offer
  • Arsene Wenger says Mbappe should go to a club where he’ll play regularly
  • The bids for Mbappe keep getting higher
  • Reports emerge that Mbappe could stay at Monaco
  • Real Madrid are exploring the possibility of a future signing

Everyone knew that Kylian Mbappe would be subject to huge bids come the end of the season, but few may have predicted just how big.

It was Real Madrid who made the first move as they offered more than €100m for the 18-year-old, eliminating all doubt that this would be a world record signing.

Manchester City were, according to French reports, the next to bid with an offer similar to Madrid’s.

Surprisingly, it was Arsenal, of all clubs, who bid next.

L’Equipe reported that Arsenal bid £87m – less than Madrid’s offer, but with more money up front. This bid, like Madrid’s, was rejected.

It was expected that that would be the end of Arsenal’s involvement, but then there were more reports of them making an improved offer of £122m.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger spoke with beIN Sports about the player.

“Didier Deschamps thinks that he needs to play but I would say as well on the other hand that the boy has made enough impression to be basically sure a club who spends a 100 million for you is basically to make at the start at least the red carpet,” he said.

Nobody will buy a player for a £100m and say, ‘Come on, sit in the stands!’”

Last week, pictures emerged on social media of Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis in Nice. Speculation mounted as to the purpose of their visit. Given the timing, many believed they were there to talk about Mbappe.

La Parisien then reported that Monaco and Mbappe could be prepared to ignore all offers and agree a new contract that would, for the year at least, end all speculation.

Things have quieted since then, but Marca are now reporting that Real Madrid are making plans to sign the player.

In their report, they say that Madrid could sell Gareth Bale to make room for Mbappe and ensure he gets game time. Alternatively, Madrid could reach an agreement for him this summer but only sign him next summer.

As it stands, it seems Real Madrid are the favourites to sign him.

However, it’s also believed that Arsenal haven’t given up yet and a little bird told us here at Cannon Towers that this isn’t just spin, Arsenal really are going for Mbappe.

Make of that what you will…