Kylian Mbappe would prefer to join Arsenal if he were to make the move to the Premier League, according to reports, with the Paris Saint-Germain star dealing a cold snub to Liverpool as he ponders his next move. The French star is expected to leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer after a public falling out over a new contract.
The Reds have admired the World Cup winner for some time, but that move now looks unlikely as it appears he favours a move to London instead. Mbappe has entered the final year of his PSG contract and the 24-year-old issued a public statement confirming he would not be renewing his deal with the Parisian outfit.
That has sparked a chase of his signature with Real Madrid the favourites to land the France international, who scored 36 goals in all competitions last summer. Reports in the Spanish media also claimed Liverpool had lodged a £170million offer for Mbappe.
And while such reports have been denied by the Reds, according to The Independent, Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of the French forward. However, he could face frustration if they do legitimately pursue a move for the explosive forward as he would prioritise joining Arsenal over Liverpool the report claims.
Mbappe is understood to appreciate ‘the evolution’ of Mikel Arteta’s team and would also enjoy the challenge of delivering the title to the club again, after Arteta’s side missed on winning their first Premier League title in 19 years last season to Manchester City.
The report stresses there has been ‘no contact’ between Mbappe’s camp, nor has there been an approach from Arsenal to PSG to discuss a move. The obvious stumbling block for Arsenal would be the sheer financial effort that comes with even convincing Mbappe to consider a transfer.
Represented by his mother, Mbappe’s eye-watering wage demands could exceed £1m a week – and only a handful of clubs could even fathom allocating such a huge chunk of their budget to sign him.
Arsenal have already spent £65m to acquire Kai Havertz, with another £145m to be spent on Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber as the pair undergo medicals this week. And even if Mbappe was eager to join, the Gunners could not afford to bring him to the Emirates.
One of them is his current club PSG, who handed the striker a lucrative two-year deal worth £94m with an option of a further year last summer.
On that occasion, Mbappe decided to reject a switch to La Liga giants Real Madrid and stay in Paris.
But the situation has changed and Mbappe could leave on acrimonious terms after PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi insisted Mbappe would not be allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2024, suggesting he would be sold.
“My position is very clear and I will not repeat it every time,” Al-Khelaifi told a press conference on Wednesday.
“We want Kylian to stay, but if he wants to stay, we want him to sign a new contract.
“We don’t want to let the best player in the world go for free, it’s impossible. PSG is a French club, it’s his city, and he’s already said he doesn’t want to leave for free. If today someone made him change his mind, it’s not my fault.”
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