Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta drops huge Kylian Mbappe transfer hint after PSG decision

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has insisted that his club «have to be in the conversation» for the signing of Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe.

The striker is expected to leave the French giants at the end of the season after Mbappe decided against extending his contract by a further year. Reports on Thursday claimed the 25-year-old has told the club of his intentions to leave in the summer.

Real Madrid are the favourites to sign the striker, but their recent proposal is said to be 'way lower' than the offer made in the summer of 2022 and his current salary.

Arsenal had been one of the clubs said to be interested in Mbappe. But with no concrete interest and his wage demand providing a major stumbling block, Arteta has dropped the biggest hint yet of their interest.

Speaking in Friday's pre-Burnley press conference, Arteta said: «When there is a player of that calibre, we always have to be in the conversation but as you say it looks in a different way.»

Mbappe still has the Ligue 1 title and Champions League to play for with PSG before he does leave. However, the next couple of months is expected to be full of speculation and rumours.

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Unfortunately for Arsenal, any hope of bringing the striker to the Emirates Stadium is likely to prove difficult. Profit and Sustainability Regulations and Financial Fair Play concerns have already taken their toll on the club and Arteta's squad requires reinforcements in a range of positions.