Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has acknowledged the club’s need to be part of the conversation regarding the potential signing of Kylian Mbappé, yet he appears to temper expectations regarding the club’s chances of completing such a sensational transfer. The French superstar has become a hot topic of rampant speculation since reports surfaced earlier this month, suggesting he informed his current club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), of his intention to leave as a free agent when his contract expires this summer. Mbappé is said to have a sentimental attachment to Arsenal, fueled by the legendary exploits of his compatriot Thierry Henry at the club from 1999 to 2007, as well as the Gunners’ early interest in signing Mbappé when he was still a budding talent at Monaco.

However, acquiring Mbappé’s signature comes with hefty financial implications. His wage demands reportedly exceed one million pounds per week, alongside a nine-figure signing-on fee, given the absence of a transfer fee. This has significantly narrowed the pool of potential suitors, with Liverpool among the clubs said to have declined the opportunity to sign him last year, making Real Madrid the clear front-runner for Mbappé’s next destination.

As reported by The Express, Arteta was questioned about Mbappé’s future at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, where he stated, “When there is a player of that caliber, we always have to be in the conversation. However, as you mentioned [regarding Real Madrid], it looks in a different way.”