Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has seemingly ruled out the club’s pursuit of Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe citing that he could be too expensive for their liking.
The 18-year-old has turn heads across Europe this season following an excellent breakthrough spell which has seen him grab 23 goals across all competitions.
Mbappe had been more of a regular substitute during the first half of the campaign, but a short-term injury to Radamel Falcao helped to establish himself as a regular upfront.
He is currently ahead of Valere Germain in the pecking order under Leonardo Jardim and looks set to play a key role in their run-in to the Ligue 1 and Champions League title.
Gunners boss Wenger has previously revealed that his side had made a tentative approach for Mbappe in the last summer transfer window, but he appears to dismiss a potential return for the player this time around.
Mbappe has captured the attention of the likes of Real Madrid who are expected to make a £85m offer for the forward. However, Wenger feels that the Gunners are not in a position to compete with the Europe’s best financially.
“Of course [we’re following him],” Wenger is quoted as saying on ESPN FC. “It would be hypocritical and a lie to say we’re not following him. But he’s perhaps already in the category of clubs who perhaps have more financial potential than us.”
Arsenal earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Leicester City on Wednesday night, and this has pushed them within four points off Manchester City, who hold the final Champions League qualification spot.
Meanwhile, the north London giants also have some silverware to play for when they take on Local rivals Chelsea in the FA Cup final later next month.
