Arsene Wenger is prepared to sanction a world record £125million bid in order to tempt Monaco into selling Kylian Mbappe, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The Arsenal manager is already on the verge of completing the club-record purchase of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon but is keen to bolster his attack sill further, especially given the uncertainty that continues to surround the future of Alexis Sanchez.
Wenger reportedly will only sanction the sale of the Chile international if he is able to push through a deal for Mbappe, or if he can tempt Manchester City into a South American swap deal involving Sergio Aguero.
Wenger is said to have become obsessed with the idea of signing Mbappe who has been likened to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry following his exploits during a stellar breakthrough season, during which he scored 26 goals in all competitions as Monaco secured the Ligue 1 title and enjoyed a goal-laden run to the Champions League semi finals.
The Arsenal manager has been in close contact with Mbappe’s family and has assured the player he would command a regular first team starting place, something that would not be on offer at Real Madrid, his other major suitors.
Florentino Perez confirmed as much earlier this week, saying: ‘Very few players play at Real Madrid at the age of 18.
‘He should have patience, the coach has it in his mind. It’s not worth saying if we are going to bring in players who could be on the bench.’
Earlier this week it was reported that Wenger was set to abandon his pursuit of Mbappe and focus on recruiting two more realistic attacking targets, with the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Thomas Lemar touted, but it now appears as though the 67-year-old will have one final tilt at convincing Monaco to sell.
Leonardo Jardim admitted more players could be on the way out of the club this summer with Tiemou Bakayoko on the verge of joining Chelsea and Bernardo Silva already having been sold to Manchester City.
Patron of Monaco, Prince Albert, however, claims the club are confident their prize asset will resist the overtures of both Arsenal and Real Madrid.
‘All I can say is that he wants to stay,’ he said. ‘And I don’t think I am betraying any confidences to say that his father also wants him to stay. There can always be last-minute changes that I don’t know about but, for now, he will still be at AS Monaco next year.’
Share this with