Kylian Mbappe to Arsenal is set to be completed as Arsenal ready to sell two key players to meet Mbappe’s dream
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe has been linked with a shock transfer to Arsenal in recent times.
The French international is into the final 12 months of his current contract at PSG and he has made it no secret that he doesn’t plan to extend his deal at the Parc des Princes. Real Madrid remain the favourites to sign the 24-year-old whilst the Gunners have been tipped as a potential alternative if the player opts to make the move to the Premier League.
So, football.london decided to take a look at everything Mbappe has ever said about the north London outfit in the past
Nearly move
Back in the summer of 2017, Arsenal tried to sign Mbappe from Monaco before the talented youngster eventually joined PSG instead.
Legendary Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was very keen on the player, who hailed the Frenchman’s standing during an interview with the Telegraph in 2018. “Yes, I met with Arsene Wenger, who is a great coach,” he admitted.
“He has a great reputation here in France, he’s well-respected and knows how to develop young players. This was a real option for me.
“But, of course, Paris Saint-Germain was the main option. We weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of all the clubs but my family told me it had to be my decision and one I needed to make.
“It also had to be a long-term decision. So it was up to me and I decided to come here in order to develop.”
Wenger admiration
Mbappe has praised Wenger on a number of occasions, hailing his compatriot’s legacy whilst revealing more about their transfer conversations.
“He is a real French football monument who has left Arsenal. I have not seen many people in this world being viewed in such a unanimous way,” Mbappe told France Football after Wenger left the north London club.
“When the entirety of Europe gets on its knees in front of him to celebrate him, that certainly means something. A little while ago, before I signed for PSG, we were in contact in 2017
“I chose a different direction but he wasn’t annoyed at me. He was a gentleman about it and wished me good luck.”
Watching from afar
Wenger was then replaced in the Arsenal dugout by Unai Emery, who managed Mbappe during their two years together at PSG.
The talented forward revealed that he was following the Gunners from afar because of Emery, who eventually was replaced by current boss Mikel Arteta in 2019. “I do not forget that he helped me adapt to this big team, which was not easy,” said Mbappe
“I have a lot of respect for this man even if he did not succeed in Paris. He won titles before and I hope he wins them again after. I sent him a congratulatory message when he signed for Arsenal, and now, I am following from afar.”
