Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette the last nail in Kylian Mbappe coffin

Arsenal’s deal for Alexandre Lacazette nearing completion, even if the reports state otherwise, is the final nail in the Kylian Mbappe coffin.

When Arsenal made an £87 million bid for Kylian Mbappe earlier in the summer, while optimism perhaps dictated and hoped for otherwise, if you asked most right-minded fans whether they ever expected the deal to be completed, they would have told you not.

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That was certainly my premonition. And for a variety of reasons, it was a justified one. Rarely is it Arsenal who are the club willing to break transfer records. They usually steer clear of the high-profile, big-name signings, instead choosing the more economically viable and sensible avenue of acquiring and developing younger talents. Rarely are they so forward and convicted with their business, tending to wait for cheaper deals later in the window. History is why Arsenal will not sign Mbappe.

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That was the reason as to why many believed such a pessimistic, and yet perhaps realistic, statement. And while Arsene Wenger does tend to pursue French talent, especially during the former decade in North London, Mbappe is a generational talent that transcends the usual profile of Wenger’s preferred targets.

Moreover, Monaco seemed unwilling to sell, and Real Madrid, Liverpool and others were, and still are, heavily interested, clubs with more convincing power than the Gunners, particularly with their Champions League status. But the rumours have been relentless, with the latest round on Sunday morning suggesting that Mbappe will almost certainly leave.

While that is not a report that I have any reason to disbelieve, the suggestion that is good news for Arsenal’s potential move is ridiculous. Not only do the above doubts still ring true but Arsene Wenger has seemingly moved on.

Alexandre Lacazette has arrived in North London for his medical ahead of a £52 million move. It is undoubtedly an exciting signing, given his goalscoring pedigree over several seasons, his dynamic, searing pace and the reputation that he brings as one of Europe’s foremost strikers.

However, his addition means the end of the Mbappe pursuit. There is little chance of Wenger signing both young Frenchman given then similar positions, and with the substantial transfer fees and wages that will have to be shelled out, significant sales will have to be made to fund either of moves, nevermind both of them.

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Lacazette is a signing that many conclusions will be drawn from. There will be lessons learned and speculative predictions. But for now, there is one thing that can be gleaned: Kylian Mbappe will not be plying his trade in North London next season.