Following rumours that Mbappe favours Arsenal over any other English side, however, manager Mikel Arteta could facilitate a move for the superstar by offloading Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli could be sacrificed to sign a new superstar (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
According to an astonishing report from Football Transfers, Martinelli could be used as a makeweight in a deal to bring Mbappe to Arsenal, with the Gunners rekindling their historic interest in the star.
Arsene Wenger twice attempted to bring the forward to north London, once when Mbappe was still to break into the Monaco first team and once before his mammoth move to Paris.
Football Transfers claims that despite Liverpool also holding an interest in the 24-year-old, the Gunners are better placed financially. Martinelli only signed a new contract last season but is already one of the club's highest earners and shifting him would create a little more space for Mbappe on the wage bill.
Furthermore, the two speedsters are both best suited to the left-wing spot and cutting in onto their right.
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Kylian Mbappe is a target for Arsenal (Image credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Despite the report and the interest, it remains highly unlikely that Arsenal tempt Mbappe to north London, with Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid both leading the way in the race for his signature.
Martinelli is valued at €80 million by Transfermarkt.
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Arsenal transfer news is ramping up this summer, with the Gunners spending £200m early in the window.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
