Mikel Arteta teases potential Arsenal Kylian Mbappe transfer

Mikel Arteta refused to rule out a move for summer free agent Kylian Mbappe, saying Arsenal "always have to be in the conversation" for a player of the Frenchman's standing.

Mbappe is poised to finally leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, with recent reports suggesting his final decision has been communicated to the club's hierarchy. The superstar was expected to leave the French capital last summer before opting to sign on for another year.

Real Madrid have a long-standing interest, offering Mbappe a mightily lucrative contract in 2022, and it's very much expected that the Frenchman will be plying his trade in La Liga from the start of the 2024/25 season.

Mikel Arteta teases potential Arsenal Kylian Mbappe transfer

Arteta's work in north London means the Gunners will once again believe they're capable of acquiring Europe's premier talent. After their excellent 2022/23 season, Arsenal are set to challenge for the Premier League title again this term and should be considered among the favourities to steal Manchester City's Champions League crown.

The Arteta project is one that any superstar would surely want to be a part of, with Mbappe himself reportedly open to a switch to the Emirates. We have Thierry Henry to thank for the 25-year-old's supposed interest.

And while the finances involved render any deal unlikely this summer, the Arsenal boss refused to rule the Gunners out of the Mbappe sweepstake.

“When there is a player of that calibre, we always have to be in that conversation, but as you said, it looks in a different way," Arteta said ahead of Saturday's trip to Burnley, suggesting that Mbappe will be heading to Real Madrid.

"If we want to be the best team, we are going to need the best talent and the best players, that is for sure," he added.

Mbappe's decision to leave has seen PSG jump to the forefront of the impending Victor Osimhen race, with Arsenal, who are poised to add a striker to their ranks this summer, linked with the Nigerian. Alongside a #9, Arteta is reportedly aiming to sign a winger before the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Pedro Neto and Nico Williams have been touted as potential options.

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