Arsenal are reportedly very confident of signing AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe this summer, according to journalist James Richardson.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed an incredible season with the French champions and is one of Europe’s most wanted strikers this summer.
Real Madrid were initially considered the favourites to complete his signature but the North London club have since emerged as one the possible destinations, given Wenger’s reputation of developing young footballers.
Richardson who is best known as a former host of Channel 4’s Football Italia program is currently working with Guardian on the Football Weekly podcast. Speaking to the Guardian on this week’s podcast, he said:
“My understanding is Arsenal are very confident about signing Mbappe.”
Mbappe who graduated from Monaco’s Academy made his first-team debut in the 2015/16 campaign. However, he truly broke onto the scene only last season scoring 26 goals and assisting a further 14 times.
This is not the first time Arsenal are targeting the youngster, as Wenger recently revealed that they almost signed the French youngster last summer when the boss visited the striker at his house. However, Mbappe preferred to stay at Monaco to continue his development which proved to be the right move.
The youngster has a price tag in the region of €130 or €140 million and although few may claim that the Gunners are capable of pumping up the money, it is highly unlikely that Wenger will gamble all of his transfer budget on one individual.
Wenger has the money to spend and he definitely will without any doubt, but hoping that the French boss will spend it all on a young prodigy seems a bit far fetched. He definitely has the talents to flourish for the North London club but will his signing win Arsenal the Premier League?, I doubt.
The preference should be to strengthen different areas of the team rather than gambling everything on a single big money signing. It would be better business to sign Lacazette along with an attacking midfielder and a defender.
Let’s hope Wenger does the right thing! What do you say Gooners?
