Updated: 22nd September 2023

Is Kyle Mbappe finally headed for Real Madrid?; Monaco thinks otherwise / Karim Benzema on Arsenal radar

At last, French Ligue 1 champions Monaco seemed to have set a price for their 18-year old wunderkid Kyle Mbappe – it's a staggering £160 million!.

Los Blancos are ready to sign the young French striker on a 6-year deal at a salary of £120,000 a week. But officials at Monaco FC have dismissed all such claims. Monaco’s Vice President Vadim Vasilyev is clear that he does not want to part with someone who he feels is the “greatest talent in world football” today and intend working out a lucrative new deal to keep the young Frenchman tied to Monaco.

The Ligue 1 champions are already awash in cash (over a £100 million) from sale of players like Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko this summer, but they can ill afford a further talent drain by way of a Mbappe exit.

Vasilyez has even shocked Arsenal with his blocking of an almost £45 million done-deal for winger Thomas Lemar.

As for Mbappe's frame of mind, it's difficult to envisage how he will carry on at the French club with the knowledge that he is among the most sought-after players among the heavyweights of Europe.

In the meantime, reports from the Emirates seem to suggest of an Alexis Sanchez move to Manchester City with Pep Guardiola evincing keen interest in the Arsenal striker.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been heard commenting that Arsenal won't be hard done at all by a potential Sanchez exit, given the depth of talent they have at their disposal and on the way, one being striker Alexandre Lacazette acquired for £52 million from French club, Lyon.

Arsenal are keen for Karim Benzema whom Real Madrid are willing to off-load and it is felt the brilliant but injury-prone French international would be a significant addition to the Gunners' attack in the potential absence of Sanchez.

The latest but most bizarre of all rumors is that Real Madrid are willing to offload Gareth Bale for £100 million to an interested Manchester United after a secret meeting between Los Blancos officials and Kyle MBappe seems to have come to a final resolution. But then, strange things can happen in the world of football transfers.

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