Arsenal ready to roll out ‘red carpet’ to Mbappe

MANAGER Arsene Wenger revealed Arsenal’s interest in Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe, but conceded that the talented 18-year-old will be spoilt for choice as top European clubs chase his signature.

Mbappe has emerged as a hot property after scoring 27 goals in all competitions to lead Monaco to the Ligue 1 title, the semi-finals of the Champions League and the final of the French League Cup.

“He’s a player who, when he gets up in the morning, can choose where he wants to go,” Wenger was quoted as saying on the club website.

“There are not many players with that kind of luck, because he’s only 18 years of age and has the whole of Europe rolling out a red carpet for him.”

Asked if Arsenal were chasing him as well, Wenger said, “Nobody can say they are not interested in a player of that calibre, because he has such immense quality at 18 years of age. All the clubs are open and interested in him.”

Arsenal travelled to Australia to kick off their pre-season tour and Wenger said that the club’s new record-signing Alexandre Lacazette would make his debut against Sydney FC tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba played a “big role” in Romelu Lukaku’s decision to join the Premier League giants from Everton, the Belgian striker has said.

The 24-year-old completed his switch on Monday, his reported £75million fee making him the club’s second most expensive signing after last year’s world-record deal for France midfielder Pogba.

“He is one of my best friends, and he is my neighbour as well,” Lukaku told the club website.

“We are always together on a daily basis so he would explain to me how things were going.

“When he signed for United, to have witnessed that, it really triggered something in my brain and I knew that if one day I had the chance to sign then I would not say no.” – Reuters