Arteta hints at SHOCK Mbappe pursuit as Arsenal receive transfer hope

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 16 Feb 2024 14:15 GMT
• 3 min read

Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal “have to be in the conversation” to sign Kylian Mbappe, who is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The France international is due to become a free agent in July after informing PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he will not be extending his current contract at the Parc des Princes.

Real Madrid are expected to sign Mbappe this summer, given their long-standing interest in the player and his dream of playing for Los Blancos, but Arsenal have been recently touted as a possible destination for the 25-year-old.

The Independent’s Miguel Delaney recently reported: “Mbappe’s wider circle reached out to Liverpool last year, but there was no offer from the Anfield hierarchy.

“They just didn’t want him that badly to break their entire financial strategy. It’s similar with Arsenal, who Mbappe would willingly join. That is in part a question of legacy, too, since it appeals to the player to follow Thierry Henry.

“This appreciation for history and legends had been the sort of thinking that once guided his career plan.”

Henry, one of Mbappe’s idols, made 377 appearances and scored 228 goals during an illustrious career at Arsenal and could play a role in bringing his countryman to the Emirates Stadium in 2024.

What has Mikel Arteta said?

Despite the likelihood of Mbappe joining Real Madrid, Arteta believes that a move to the Emirates Stadium remains a possibility.

The Gunners head coach spoke to the media ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Burnley on Saturday and was asked about the potential of Mbappe moving to the Emirates.

He replied: “When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation but, as you say, it looks in a different way.

“Why not? If we want to be the best team, we are going to need the best talent and the best players.

“I am not involved. Maybe Edu and the owners are, I’m not in those conversations until the last stage.”