Arsenal: Kylian Mbappe’s monetary wall not insurmountable

Arsenal’s need for a striker may push them to desperation status, but there is still a monetary reality that could see Kylian Mbappe come to North London.

Arsenal supporters are preparing for the worst as they yet again listen to Arsene Wenger speak out against the practice of spending piles of cash just for the sake of spending. This all comes just days after the supposed £87m for French sensation Kylian Mbappe.

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Many believe that this is a sign that Wenger is trying to hint at the deal being off, if it was ever even on.

But there is another way to see this. As an individual, Mbappe is massively expensive. He would break all kinds of records. But in terms of the summer “transfer kit,” it is not impossible to see a move happening.

Think of it this way. Last summer, Wenger spent around £100m shoring up the team’s needs and adding some future prospects. That was a massive summer for Le Prof and far more money then we are used to seeing him spend.

This summer, why shouldn’t it be a realistic outcome that he spends just as much? If he’s done it once, he can do it again.

If that is the case, then let’s get down to the numbers and apply them to what Arsenal undoubtedly needs. They need a left back, they need a striker and they might do well to identify a wide attacker like Thomas Lemar.

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Last summer, Wenger needed three positions as well, a striker, a holding midfielder and a defender. He spend £17m on the striker, £35m on the defender and £40m on the midfielder. Factor in another £6-7m or so on the two prospects and you come up with that nearly £100m “transfer kit.”

The left back is taken care of this summer. He cost £0m. That is the biggest factor to consider. That means that Wenger could potentially have another £100m to spend on a striker and, if necessary, a winger.

That leaves plenty of room for both, or, in the worst case scenario, plenty of room to land a prolific striker, like Mbappe, and call it a summer. No one would complain if we walk out of this summer with just Sead Kolasinac and Mbappe. That is a dynamic summer.

It’s not always about the cost of the individual, especially with a team like Arsenal. It is about the cost of the summer as a whole. And if that whole is spent on one guy, then what’s the difference? It still cost just as much as it did last summer.

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It may not be a likely situation, but don’t count it out because of the penny-pinching board.