After Arsene Wenger finally ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year deal with Arsenal, reports emerged claiming that the Frenchman signed the contract after assuring the board that there will be no further hesitation in the transfer market and all transfer deals will be completed early on in the off-season and if reports from L’Equipe are to be believed, Wenger has moved to deliver on those assurances.
The ever-reliable French media outlet is claiming that Arsenal have tabled a club record £87 million offer for Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe, who helped his club win the Ligue 1 title with 16 goals and 8 assists. The youngster is an Arsenal fan who’s idol happens to be Gunners legend and all-time top-scorer Thierry Henry and L’Equipe claim that this is a factor that will work in Arsenal’s favour in their chase for the much-coveted teenager.
But would Arsenal really bid as much as £87 million for an 18-year-old? Personally, I do not think so. Considering the fact that Real Madrid and Manchester City are also in the race to sign the player, it makes it very difficult to land him. Even if Arsenal were to miraculously match his asking price, there is certainly no chance that the Gunners will be able to compete in terms of wages with the likes of Real and City.
But then again, it all comes down to what the player wants. Considering that he’s only 18, if he wants to grow as a player, working under Wenger at Arsenal will be the best move, given the Arsenal’s manager’s repuation with nurturing young French talent. Moreover, L’Equipe claims that Arsenal’s biggest drawing point is that they can offer to make him the first-choice striker at the club, a privilige that both City and Real are hesitant to offer.
Bizarrely, Gunners legend and fellow Frenchman Robert Pires claimed a couple of months ago that Mbappe would move to Arsenal in the summer with an uncanny confidence. When it comes to French football, L’Equipe is certainly a reliable source and while it may be difficult for any Arsenal fan to fathom that the club have offered £87 million for a teenager, let’s wait and see what happens, although it would be advisable not to get our hopes up too much.