Arsenal have tried to sign Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe this summer, but how much progress has been made?
- Arsenal had an £87m bid rejected earlier this month
- Wenger is reportedly ready to go well over £100m to sign him
- Real Madrid are also interested
In case you didn’t know, Arsenal are interested in this 18-year-old called Kylian Mbappe. The Evening Standard has produced a useful round-up of the story so far.
Earlier this month, reports from France stated that Arsenal had bid £87m for Mbappe. The bid was less than Real Madrid’s and rejected but did show Arsenal’s intention. Such a fee would more than double Arsenal’s transfer record.
Since then, there has been plenty of talk of an improved bid of over £100m, although it’s unclear if any of it is true. What is clear is that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger rates Mbappe very highly and is confident of signing him against the odds.
Wenger tried to sign Mbappe last summer and went to the player’s house to convince him. Likewise, Real Madrid have attempted to sign him before. Mbappe opted to stay at Monaco and went on to have his breakthrough season in 2016/17.
Monaco are said to be holding out for more than £120m for him. They’ve also offered him a new contract that would increase his wages from £16k to £140k-per-week.
While Arsenal have an interest in Mbappe, they also appear to be working on a deal for Alexandre Lacazette. In all likelihood, Lacazette is Arsenal’s second choice behind Mbappe, as it’s unlikely that Arsenal have the budget to sign both.
Lacazette himself could cost Arsenal over £50m.
Mbappe may be everyone’s first choice, but the deal still doesn’t seem very realistic. Real Madrid are believed to be a more likely destination.
Until the player makes a decision, Arsenal’s name will be brought up as a potential destination, regardless of what happens with Lacazette and other potential signings.