Paris Saint-Germain sensation Kylian Mbappe has reportedly set his sights on joining Arsenal as his preferred Premier League destination, should he decide to make a move to England in the near future. The 24-year-old forward is currently unwilling to activate the 12-month extension clause in his PSG contract, which means he could leave the club as a free agent next summer if things remain unchanged.
Despite his intentions regarding his contract, Mbappe plans to remain in the French capital for the upcoming 2023-24 season before making a final decision about his future in twelve months’ time. However, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has made it clear that the club will not allow Mbappe to leave for free and is actively working to sell him this summer, against the player’s wishes.
Reports suggest that PSG is hoping to secure a transfer fee of around €200m (£170.7m) for Mbappe’s services this summer. However, such a hefty financial demand is likely to deter most potential suitors, as only a handful of clubs would be capable of meeting such a price tag.
While Real Madrid has long been considered the frontrunner in the race for Mbappe’s signature, with many predicting him to be the long-term successor to Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu, the Spanish giants have already made several signings during this transfer window, including Jude Bellingham, Joselu, and Arda Guler. As a result, it is expected that Real Madrid will wait until 2024 in the hope of securing Mbappe as a free agent.
Previously, Liverpool was linked with a potential move for the French forward, but now it seems that Mbappe has expressed a preference for Arsenal over both Liverpool and Manchester United, should he decide to take his talents to the Premier League. Mbappe has reportedly been impressed by Arsenal’s progress under manager Mikel Arteta, and he relishes the opportunity to bring Premier League success back to the Emirates Stadium.
However, it must be noted that a transfer for Mbappe remains highly unlikely for Arsenal, primarily due to the financial implications involved. Even if he were to become available as a free agent, the wages demanded by Mbappe would likely be beyond Arsenal’s budget, making the deal unrealistic for the North London club.
Therefore, there have been no reports of Arsenal making significant strides or serious contact in their pursuit of Mbappe. Meanwhile, the French forward himself appears calm and composed about his future, as Real Madrid continues to pin its hopes on securing his services on a free transfer in 2024.
Last summer, Mbappe turned down a move to Real Madrid and opted to sign a new contract with PSG. The decision proved to be fruitful as he went on to enjoy yet another outstanding individual season, scoring 41 goals and providing 10 assists in 43 appearances. The former Monaco prodigy also claimed his fifth Ligue 1 Golden Boot as PSG secured the league title. However, their Champions League campaign ended in disappointment with a last-16 exit against Bayern Munich.
On the managerial front, PSG recently announced the appointment of Luis Enrique as their new manager. The club has wasted no time bolstering their squad, with the acquisitions of Slovakian center-back Milan Skriniar and Spanish attacker Marco Asensio on free transfers. These signings indicate PSG’s determination to maintain a competitive squad, even if they are unable to retain the services of Mbappe beyond the upcoming season.
