Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal interest in Kylian Mbappe with World Cup winner to leave PSG | Football | Sport

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal hold an interest in signing Kylian Mbappe, insisting that his side ‘have to be in the conversation’ for the France international. The forward is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, having informed Paris Saint-Germain that he does not intend to extend his stay with the club.

Mbappe has been linked with a move away from PSG on numerous occasions over the past few years, though the 25-year-old finally looks set to depart this summer. With his current contract at the Parc des Princes expiring in July, the versatile attacker has informed the Ligue 1 outfit that he has no interest in extending his stay.

Liverpool and Real Madrid have both been credited with holding an interest in signing Mbappe as a free agent, and reports have emerged claiming that Mbappe would be interested in joining Arsenal.

Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Burnley this weekend, Arteta confirmed that his side are ‘in the conversation’ for Mbappe but conceded that Real Madrid are a major sticking point with their long-term pursuit of the former Monaco star.

Asked about Mbappe, the Gunners boss responded on Friday morning: “When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation. But as you said it looks in a different way.”

Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Mbappe and have tabled several bids for the 2018 World Cup winner over the past few seasons, unsuccessfully attempting to lure him to the Bernabeu in both 2021 and 2022. Their persistence looks set to pay off this summer though, with the forward already in active negotiations with Los Blancos over a big-money deal.

However, Arsenal will be hoping that the prospect of challenging to win the Premier League could turn Mbappe’s head and convince him to consider a move to north London. The forward’s adoration of Thierry Henry has always given the Gunners a glimmer of hope that they could convince Mbappe to join the club.