In a recent interview, Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal Football Club, expressed his belief that the team should be targeting the world’s best players, including Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has been the subject of intense speculation regarding his future. It has been reported that the French forward has informed PSG of his intention to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, and Real Madrid is expected to be his next destination. While Arteta acknowledged the allure of having a player of Mbappé’s caliber, he indicated that it seems likely the star will join Los Blancos.
When questioned about Arsenal’s potential interest in Mbappé, Arteta responded by saying that he personally was not involved in the discussions. However, he acknowledged that the technical director, Edu, and the club’s owners may be engaged in talks. Arteta emphasized the importance of having top talent and players to build the best team. He made it clear that if Arsenal aspires to be the best, they would undoubtedly require the best players.
One major obstacle that Arsenal may face in signing Mbappé is complying with Financial Fair Play rules. The club exceeded their spending limit last summer, which led to certain restrictions during the January transfer window. Although a move for Mbappé would not involve a transfer fee, his astronomical wage demands would significantly disrupt the club’s current wage structure. It is believed that the French forward earns over €650,000 per week ($700,000), a figure that surpasses Arsenal’s highest earner, Bukayo Saka, who reportedly earns around £300,000 per week, including bonuses.
Despite these financial limitations, Arteta expressed confidence in Arsenal’s appeal to top players. He stated that being associated with the club has never been an issue and that players are eager to don the Arsenal jersey. Arteta emphasized the club’s storied history and past accomplishments, which have contributed to the positive impression it leaves on potential signings. He revealed that players he has engaged in discussions with always have smiles on their faces, indicating their enthusiasm for joining the club.
It is worth noting that Arsenal previously attempted to lure Mbappé to North London when Arsène Wenger served as the manager. Wenger even had a meeting with the young talent at a time when Mbappé was unsure about extending his contract with AS Monaco in 2016. Ultimately, Arsenal’s €100 million bid in 2017 was rejected, and the French forward joined PSG a year later. In an interview with the Telegraph, Mbappé confirmed that he had considered Arsenal as a genuine option but ultimately chose PSG as his primary destination.
While Mikel Arteta recognizes the allure of having a player like Kylian Mbappé at Arsenal, he is aware that the French forward is likely to join Real Madrid. Arsenal’s financial constraints pose a significant challenge in pursuing such high-profile signings. Despite this, Arteta remains optimistic about the club’s appeal to elite players, pointing to its rich history and past achievements. Although Arsenal missed out on signing Mbappé in the past, the club continues to aspire to attract the world’s best talent and compete with the elite teams in European football.