The hottest teenage prospect in the continent, Kylian Mbappe, has issued a statement that he alone will make the decision regarding his future, amid interest from Arsenal and many other clubs in Europe.

In a report about his potential transfer, Mbappe said: “I will make a choice based on my sporting career, and my career is first and foremost. I am at an age where I need to play and that will be paramount.”

The 18-year-old striker has led his club Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and the Champions League semi-final this season. Mbappe has emerged as one of Europe’s hottest prospects, and after scoring 26 goals over all competitions there is plenty of demand for his services.

Among interested clubs from all over top European leagues, there are also more than a few clubs from Premier League, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly keen. Even with all that interest, Kylian Mbappe is determined to keep his feet on the ground and make a calm and deliberate decision.

While talking to beIN Sports, the young French international said: “I’m not 35 or 36, an age where I have to manage [my body], I still have everything to learn, this year was discovery, and now comes the most important step: Confirmation.

“And I will be the sole decision-maker, and I will not go anywhere where I will be forced to go. In football, everything is possible, from the moment you work and you believe in your qualities.

“I always believed in myself, it wasn’t enough to want to, you have to give yourself the means [to succeed]. I didn’t know it was going to happen so fast, but I knew I wanted to do it.”

There is no doubt that Kylian Mbappe has tremendous potential and is almost sure to play for a top European club in the future. But for now it might be in his best interest to stay for another couple of seasons at Monaco to develop and hone his skills.