Arsenal may have a secret advantage in the race to sign PSG star Kylian Mbappe in the summer transfer window ahead of the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea. It comes as the France international has been involved in yet another public saga surrounding his future.
The 24-year-old is entering the final 12 months of his contract at the Parc des Princes, having recently informed the club he will not be triggering an extra year extension in his deal. It has led to the Ligue 1 champions setting an ultimatum: sign a new contract or leave this summer.
Club president Nasser al-Khelaifi told reporters at the unveiling of Luis Enrique as their new manager: "We do not want him to leave for free in 2024. Our position is clear, if Kylian wants to stay, we want him to stay. But he needs to sign a new contract. We don’t want to lose the best player in the world for free. It’s impossible.”
With such a deadline being set for Mbappe, it has led to the possibility of a switch to a number of clubs, with Real Madrid namely the main option. However, there's also the surprise chance of the World Cup winner making a move to Arsenal this summer, coming as a shock move.
Reports have stated that out of the Premier League options available, Mbappe would prefer a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer. The possibility of guiding the Gunners back to a Premier League title and more is believed to be seen as an exciting opportunity.
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While Los Blancos would certainly be viewed as favourites, Arsenal may hold a secret advantage over them in the transfer window. That being defender William Saliba, who may be able to tempt Mbappe into a switch after previously claiming the pair are "good friends".
Speaking to Sky Sports last year about his international teammate, he said: "Yeah, we are good friends. We're from the same city." He was then asked if they talk with each other a lot, to which Saliba replied: "No, not a lot. He does his job, I do my job. When I see him in the national team, I speak with him."
With the Arsenal youngster now a regular in the France squad, there's the possibility for more meetings and talks, but there is also another boost involved. That being the new contract for Saliba keeping him at the club until 2027, showing the centre-back is fully on board with the project.
If Mbappe became an option for the future for Arsenal, then perhaps all of those factors could see the "good friends" reunited once again, but in the red of Arsenal as well as the blue of France.
