13 February 2024 , 21:15
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Kylian Mbappe is open-minded to the possibility of joining Arsenal - because it would enable him to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Thierry Henry.
The France forward, 25, is once again the subject of intense transfer speculation after entering the final year of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, although it remains to be seen whether or not he will actually leave the Ligue 1 champions.
Mbappe was courted relentlessly by Real Madrid back in 2022 before deciding against a move to the Bernabeu at the eleventh hour. Los Blancos are still in the frame for his signature, but it's been claimed in recent weeks that Mbappe is also open to other avenues of interest.
While there have been previous links to the Premier League in the form of Liverpool, The Independent claim that Arsenal are an English club that Mbappe would 'willingly join', with the striker enticed by the opportunity of treading the same path as Henry.
Henry became the Gunners' all-time leading goalscorer across two separate spells at the club and is widely regarded as one of Arsenal's greatest ever players. The forward turned television pundit is held in similar esteem by his home nation with only Olivier Giroud ahead of him in the French scoring charts.
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The report does establish that executives at PSG still expect Mbappe to join Real Madrid in the summer, but it's also noted that the financial package on offer from the Spanish giants is significantly lower than what the player himself expected.
Liverpool were unwilling to break their wage structure when they were sounded out by Mbappe's camp last year and it's outlined that Arsenal would also take an identical stance on finances should a deal be broached.
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The opportunity to follow in Thierry Henry's footsteps would appeal to Mbappe, it has been claimed (Getty Images)Although Mbappe is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs from overseas, he is yet to communicate whether or not he will take Real Madrid up on their latest offer.
It's understood that the contract he has been offered equates to less than he was offered back in 2022 - a deal that the La Liga outfit believed they had wrapped up.
Mbappe also turned down a lucrative proposal from Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal back in July after a world-record €300 million (£255.2m) bid for his services was tabled.
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