Striker Kylian Mbappe laughed and half-joked about not joining Arsenal because of the cold weather in London, while chatting to a teenage fan.
In a conversation of unknown timing, 2010-born fan Mike Poulli invited Mbappe to move to Arsenal. "No way, that will never happen," the French striker replied, laughing. When asked why, the 2018 World Cup champion replied: "Because it's too cold there."
Poulli then posted the conversation with Mbappe on social media and wrote: "I tried it Arsenal. It's your loss, Mbappe."
Mbappe ruled out Arsenal move in talks with Poulli
On February 15, European media reported that Mbappe had informed President Nasser Al Khelaifi of his decision to leave PSG when his contract expires in June 2024. Later, Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Mbappe had signed a five-year contract with Real and accepted a deep salary cut.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that the Gunners must make a bid for Mbappe on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, if the opportunity arises. But he admitted that the French striker is likely to join Real Madrid, according to media speculation.
Arsenal tried to sign Mbappe when Arsene Wenger was in charge. The legendary French coach revealed that he met Mbappe when he was a teenager and uncertain about renewing his contract with AS Monaco in 2016. The Emirates Stadium owner had a bid of more than $100 million rejected in 2017, a year before he joined PSG.
"If you ask Mbappe, he will probably tell you that I was at his house last year and tried to bring him to Arsenal," Wenger told beIN Sports at the time. "But Monaco were determined to keep him, and he personally decided to stay for at least one more season. I can understand that, because he grew up there."
Coach Wenger (center) was intimate with Mbappe at a charity event in May 2019. Photo: Panoramic
After joining PSG, the French striker confirmed that he had spoken directly to Wenger in France. "Going to Arsenal was a real option for me," Mbappe told the Telegraph . "But of course PSG was the main option. We considered the pros and cons of all the clubs, but my family said it had to be my decision and I needed to decide my own future."
Mbappe rose to prominence as a teenager at Monaco. PSG signed him on loan in 2017 and bought him for $200 million a year later. The French striker immediately became a mainstay at PSG, scoring a record 247 goals and providing 105 assists in 296 games, helping the club win five Ligue 1 titles, three French Cups, two French League Cups and three French Super Cups.
But after the news of reaching an agreement with Real, Mbappe's playing minutes at PSG were limited. Coach Luis Enrique explained that sooner or later PSG would have to learn to play without the 25-year-old striker.
Hong Duy
Source link
Comment (0)