The future of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe is set to dominate headlines during the summer transfer window.
Earlier this week, Mbappe informed PSG via a formal letter that he would not be taking up the option to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes by a further year, with his current deal expiring next summer. That means, if fresh terms aren't agreed in the next 12 months, the French international would be available on a free transfer - something the Ligue 1 champions understandably don't want to happen.
So with that being said, football.london has rounded up all the latest transfer chatter linking the 24-year-old with a move to the Premier League.
Contact remains
According to French outlet L’Équipe, via GFFN, Mbappe has remained in contact with a number of Premier League clubs that had tried to sign him back in 2017.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United were all linked to the then-Monaco starlet at the time.
Chelsea trial
Mbappe had a short trial at Chelsea during his formative years but ultimately the Blues opted against signing him, with his mother Fayza telling the Blues that they would live to regret their decision, as per the Athletic.
Speaking about his four-day stint in west London to FourFourTwo back in 2018, the French attacker said: “I was still young back then, maybe 10 or 11. I went to London and spent just under a week over there.
"I trained at Chelsea and we played a friendly match against Charlton Athletic. We won 6-0 or 7-0. I played upfront, but I don’t think I scored.
"It was great – it was my first experience abroad and a chance for me to see what the game was like in England.”
Player admission
Mbappe himself has spoken about how Wenger was very close to convincing him to join the north Gunners back in 2017. "Yes, I met with Arsene Wenger, who is a great coach," the French international told the Telegraph six years ago.
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"He has a great reputation here in France, he's well-respected and knows how to develop young players. This was a real option for me.
"But, of course, Paris Saint-Germain was the main option. We weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of all the clubs but my family told me it had to be my decision and one I needed to make.
"It also had to be a long-term decision. So it was up to me and I decided to come here in order to develop."
Wenger verdict
Legendary Arsenal manager Wenger has admitted that he nearly prised Mbappe away from Monaco before the youngster eventually joined PSG in 2017 instead. "We were on the case last year already and he [Mbappe] was close to joining us", Wenger said during a press conference six years ago.
"Maybe closer last year than this year because the competition to get him was a bit smaller than it is today. I personally believe that for 90 per cent of the players, their career depends completely on where they choose to go.
"For 10 per cent of the players, they can go where they want and they will make a great career. For me he’s in the 10 per cent. He could close his eyes and choose, 'I go here, I go to Real Madrid or to Arsenal or to Man United and will have a great career'.
"He's an exceptional football player. I cannot tell you [how close Arsenal were to signing him], you should ask him the question!"
Mbappe breaks silence
French outlet Le Parisien reported on Tuesday that Mbappe wants to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.
In a quote tweet reply to the story, Mbappe then wrote: "LIES...At the same time, the bigger it is, the more it passes. I have already said that I will continue next season at PSG where I am very happy."
Contract decision
Mbappe decided against triggering the option in his contract to extend his stay past 2024 just 12 months after the France international committed his future to the Ligue 1 giants last summer when he signed a two-year deal with a reported option to extend it by a year.
However, it now seems that the forward will not be taking that opportunity and could leave in the next few months as PSG look to receive a transfer fee for him instead of losing him for nothing next year.
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