Former Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi expressed regret for missing the opportunity to sign Kylian Mbappe in 2016 when the striker visited the club’s training facility.
Despite efforts to convince Mbappe, who eventually chose Paris Saint-Germain, Grimandi believes it’s unlikely Arsenal will secure the 25-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract and could potentially move next summer.
Grimandi recalled the unsuccessful attempt to sign Mbappe, stating that the timing wasn’t ideal as it followed a league loss to Swansea and preceded a crucial match against Tottenham. He considered the failure to sign Mbappe as one of the biggest disappointments in his 15 years of scouting for Arsenal.
While acknowledging Mbappe’s potential to transform a club, Grimandi believes that only a few clubs can afford his substantial salary.
Real Madrid has been consistently linked with Mbappe, and Grimandi speculates that he might end up at the Spanish club. Despite the allure for top clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City to sign him, Grimandi’s instinct is that Mbappe is likely to stay at Real Madrid or remain with PSG.
Looking ahead, Grimandi envisions the prospect of witnessing Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe playing in the same league, expressing that it would be special, especially if Mbappe joined Arsenal. However, he recognizes the challenges, considering the competitive landscape for securing Mbappe’s signature and the financial constraints that clubsmay face.
