Arsenal have been given hope in the chase for Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe.

Is anyone else bored of Mbappe stories?

You’d think that Arsenal signing a striker would kill any speculation that they’re still after Mbappe. However, L’Equipe seem to think the Gunners still have lingering hopes of signing the 18-year-old, reports the Metro.

Their report seems to be a rehash of older reports about Arsene Wenger having a good relationship with the player and his family. That much could be true, but the amount of money Real Madrid appear willing to spend and Monaco’s reluctance to sell remain significant obstacles.

No matter how good Wenger’s relationship with the player is, it’s not going to mean much in the face of £120m bids from Real Madrid. Arsenal may have the financial capacity to make such bids, but there a huge doubts about whether they would or not.

The Londoners have already spent £52m on Alexandre Lacazette, and are believed to be paying him £200,000 per week. Arsenal wouldn’t fork out so much only to then spend three times as much on another striker.

One would think that if Arsenal thought they had genuine chance of signing Mbappe, they would never have bothered signing Lacazette.

This seems like a case of Arsenal’s name being thrown in just to keep the saga running. The excitement of Madrid’s latest bid being accepted has decreased after Monaco denied the stories.

Meanwhile, Mbappe is said to be in discussions with Monaco over a new contract, and Arsene Wenger himself thinks the teenager will remain where he is.