Wantaway PSG star Kylian Mbappe 'willing to join Arsenal'

Wantaway PSG star Kylian Mbappe ‘willing to join Arsenal' – thanks to Gunners legend

World Cup-winner Kylian Mbappe could be up for a new challenge amid rumours he's interested in leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer – and Arsenal could have an edge in the transfer chase

If it's a challenge Kylian Mbappe is seeking at his next club, Arsenal may have just what he's looking for.

And the France superstar is reportedly “willing” to join the Gunners as his next club amid rumours Mbappe, 25, is seeking a change of scenery. The World Cup-winner joined Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco in the summer of 2017 (initially on loan) but has been linked with the Parc des Princes exit for the past few years on repeat.

A parting of ways is once again being touted as Mbappe nears the end of his contract this summer – albeit with a one-year extension option that will inevitably be triggered. And while Arsenal face stiff competition in any chase to land the forward, it's understood Mikel Arteta's side has one unique advantage over the opposition.

That's after The Independent reported Mbappe is open to the idea of following in Thierry Henry's footsteps by moving to north London. Both players were born in the Paris region but concluded their training in Monaco's academy before earning big-money moves elsewhere.

Henry, 46, used Juventus as a stopgap in 1999 and spent just six months in Turin before swapping allegiances for Arsenal where he went on to become an icon. It was under Arsene Wenger's reign that Highbury (and later the Emirates) became a hotbed for French talent in the Premier League, though there's only one French national among Arteta's current crop.

Real Madrid have routinely been linked with the player amid any speculation of a rift with PSG. And Arsenal's Premier League rivals Liverpool – who are set to part ways with Jurgen Klopp this summer – have also been closely associated with a transfer.

It's understood the extension clause in Mbappe's contract is a player option, meaning he would have the final say on whether or not it's triggered. In the seemingly unlikely event that he's allowed to leave Paris for free come June, his signature would be among the most valuable in the sport's history given his quality and the fact he only recently turned 25.

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In that event, Arsenal would be unwise to not at least attempt his signing, though Mbappe's signing fee and wages would undoubtedly smash records themselves. Then again, it was one generational talent raised on the French Riviera who ushered in Arsenal's last great era of success, raising the question as to whether history could repeat with Mbappe.