In a recent revelation, Arsene Wenger, the iconic manager of Arsenal, shared insights on the club’s unsuccessful attempt to recruit Kylian Mbappe.
Wenger disclosed that in 2016, Monaco had successfully persuaded Mbappe, who was then a promising 17-year-old on the brink of breaking into Monaco’s first team, to resist the overtures from the Gunners.
Adding to the intrigue, an image of a young Mbappe donning a 2004 Arsenal jersey emerged online the following year. However, in a twist of events, Mbappe, who now captains the French national team, was loaned to Paris Saint-Germain later that year with a compulsory purchase clause of €180 million.
Fast forward to the present, Mbappe has transitioned to Real Madrid, joining them as a free agent this summer. Reflecting on Mbappe’s career trajectory, Wenger told TF1, “At the onset of your career, the pressure isn’t as intense. Monaco convinced him to extend his contract, promising him more playing time than he would have received at Arsenal, Liverpool, or Real Madrid. His parents’ advice proved to be sound, and he certainly made the right decision.”