Transfer rumor roundup 6/2: Arsenal bid big for Mbappe
By Nick Pitner
Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
Friday’s biggest transfer news comes out of France, where L’Equipe reports Arsenal have submitted a club-record €100 million bid for Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe.
After signing a two-year extension earlier this week, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is said to be planning a serious overhaul of his squad this summer and wants Mbappe to be his centerpiece going forward.
At just 18 years old, Mbappe registered an astounding 26 goals and 14 assists across all competitions this season, leading Monaco to their first Ligue 1 title in 17 years along the way.
Wenger has admitted spending last summer trying to convince Mbappe to join Arsenal, even revealing he spent time at the player’s house in hopes of persuading him.
While those efforts obviously didn’t work at the time, the legendary French boss is now returning for his country’s brightest starlet a year later.
Seemingly set to become the world’s most expensive player whenever he decides to exit Monaco, Mbappe is also being pursued by Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Along with Mbappe, L’Equipe states Arsenal have his teammate Thomas Lemar in their sights.
The attacking midfielder enjoyed a breakout campaign in his second season in the principality, compiling 14 goals and 17 assists in total.
With the future of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez very much up in the air, Lemar could either replace him on the left side of the Gunners’ setup or complement him to further bolster Wenger’s offensive options.
Although Arsenal cannot offer Lemar Champions League football next season, the player is reportedly unbothered by that scenario, as he would relish focusing on the fight to win the Premier League. Furthermore, the 21-year-old is said to be intrigued by Arsenal’s track record of developing young French players.
Still, with interest from Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Juventus as well, Lemar’s signature won’t come easy. However, with his contract set to expire in two years, now may be the time for suitors to capitalize on Lemar’s situation.
L’Equipe’s Friday news blast also details Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette’s summer options.
Of course, Lacazette was reported last month to have reached a verbal agreement to join Atletico Madrid. However, after the Spanish club’s transfer ban was upheld Thursday, he’ll now be unable to make that move this summer.
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While Lacazette could wait until the January transfer window to head to La Liga, he’s said to be Arsenal’s top alternative to Mbappe, and L’Equipe say Manchester United have made an enquiry for him as well.
The Red Devils’ interest seems to result from the chain reaction Atleti’s transfer ban has caused.
Man United were reportedly set to trigger striker Antoine Griezmann’s release clause, but with Atleti unable to replace him this summer, it now appears he’ll stay at the Vicente Calderon. Knowing that, manager Jose Mourinho could turn to the player Diego Simeone intended to replace Griezmann with: Lacazette.
After Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s serious knee injury, Mourinho knows he needs a proven goalscorer to support his side, and with 91 Ligue 1 goals over the past four seasons, Lacazette certainly fits the bill.
Elsewhere in England, Liverpool have failed with an initial £28 million bid for Roma’s Mohamed Salah, according to the Daily Mail.
The Egyptian international tops Reds boss Jurgen Klopp’s list of attacking targets, which has caused Liverpool to reportedly offer Salah a contract of around £90,000 per week. While that would nearly double Salah’s salary and the player appears open to the move, Roma are believed to be holding out for at least a £40 million transfer fee.
The Italians are being forced to trim their squad to adhere to financial fair play rules, however, so a departure of the man that ranked second on their team in goals (15) and first in assists (11) seems plausible.
Finally, a former Liverpool player could be on the move, as striker Mario Balotelli is out of a contract this summer.
The enigmatic Italian is fresh off netting 15 goals in 20 Ligue 1 starts for Nice, which represents the best goal haul in domestic competition of his career.
At 26 years old, Balotelli still has plenty left in the tank as well, which has resulted in Nice expressing their interest in retaining him.
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Nonetheless, speaking to Corriere dello Sport, agent Mino Raiola has revealed that Borussia Dortmund and Marseille are also attracted by his client, saying, “Will he stay at Nice? We will see. Borussia Dortmund and Marseille are very interested in him.”