With Arsene Wenger’s future sorted out, it’s only logical to change focus to two important things – securing the futures of other key players in the squad, like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, and delving into the transfer market to sign quality players that would improve the team.
Arsenal’s rivals like Manchester City have shifted to second gear, already securing the futures of Monaco’s midfield sensation, Bernardo Silva, as well as a new shiny goalie from SL Benfica, Ederson Moraes. It’s gonna be a long summer for the club and there would be loads of transfer speculation surrounding Arsene Wenger’s side.
The Sun has reported that Arsenal has made a mind-boggling £87m bid for Europe’s hottest prospect, Kylian Mbappe. It’s kinda interesting to see how this pans out bearing in mind that Monaco has rejected offers from Real Madrid (via the Sun) and Manchester City (via Metro). Mbappe had a wonderful breakthrough season, with 26 goals that led his team to their first Ligue 1 triumph in 17 years, as well as a Champions League semifinal berth that saw him score a hatful goals in the knockout stage.
For a player that is just 18 years of age, it has been massive campaign for him and he has to ensure he keeps his head on his shoulders because he has the world at his feet literally. Credit should go to the Monaco gaffer for believing in the lad and thrusting him into the deep and the lad managed the pressure of expectancy well.
It’s only expected that he would cost a massive fortune and his exploits on the pitch has shown that he’s the real deal. Moneybags like Real Madrid and Manchester City have already declared interest and gone as far as making bids that were reportedly rejected by Monaco. So what makes Arsenal’s case any different? Did the club even make a bid in the first place? Remember that the club’s record transfer signing is Mesut Ozil and this supposed bid for Mbappe almost doubles it.
It’s evident that the Gunners need a new center forward to lead them to glory in the forthcoming 2017/18 and with no disrespect to Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck, I don’t have full confidence in their abilities to stand up and be counted when it really matters. Yes, they have contributed to the team’s cause as expected of them, but they will always be squad players at best, and Wenger knows that he needs to get squad maintaining a ‘sustained league title challenge’ and probably win the Europa League.
Mbappe is just 18 and has a great potential but the onus will be on him to prove that he wasn’t a ‘one-season wonder’, because consistency is key to excel in the top flight. The Thierry Henry comparisons are already up in the sky, but I’d hope he maintains focus and make a decision on his future.
I will keep monitoring this story as it develops but I will take it with a pinch of salt for now.
Sayonara.
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