D-Day is rapidly approaching for Kylian Mbappe. The 18-year-old sensation coveted by every major force in European football may have the world at his feet but he is already facing the biggest decision of his fledgling career.
The Monaco striker’s goals decorated the French side’s unlikely and uplifting Ligue 1 title winning campaign, while he also played a prominent role in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, twisting and tormenting defenders more than 10 years his senior.
Kylian Mbappe starred for France in
a 3-2 win over England on Tuesday (Picture)
Real Madrid and Arsenal lead the race for the France
international, but the likes of Chelsea, both Manchester giants, PSG and Bayern
have also been credited with strong interest. Mbappe is due to hold talks with Monaco today,
according to L’Equipe, to discuss his future and here we assess his
options…
Stay at Monaco
Perhaps
the most sensible and obvious course of action would be for Mbappe to remain in
France with the champions, for at least another season, on significantly
improved terms.
His
current deal expires in the summer of 2019 and given his exploits last season
and abundant potential he will, with some justification, be asking for a huge
pay rise if he opts to commit to Monaco.
The club’s vice-president Vadim Vasilyev would have no trouble
bankrolling an improved offer, particularly given the fact that several of last
season’s team are likely to be granted permission to leave in the close season.
Already Bernardo Silva has signed for Manchester City, while
Tiemou Bakayoko and Thomas Lemar seem destined for London with Tottenham,
Arsenal and Chelsea circling, which does beg the question ‘what sort of side
would Mbappe be spearheading?’ come August
At least for his own sake, manager Leonardo Jardim has committed
to a new long-term contract amid strong speculation he was set for a move to
the Chinese Super League. The Monaco boss can offer his main man a guarantee of
regular first team football which could well be crucial in World Cup year.
SUITABILITY RATING: 9/10
Follow in Thierry Henry’s
footsteps and sign for Arsenal
The
similarities between Mbappe and Arsenal’s record goalscorer are almost
freakish. Speed, stealth and arrogance are all traits the French stars past and
present share, but while Henry’s goalscoring prowess was coached into him,
Mbappe’s nose for goal appears to be natural.
Where better, therefore, could Mbappe hone his skills than under
the tuition of the man who converted Henry from wayward winger into the
deadliest Premier League striker of his generation?
Cynics would, however, point to the fact that for every Henry and
Nicolas Anelka there is a Yaya Sanogo or Jeremie Aliadiere, young French
strikers full of promise whose careers have nosedived at Arsenal.
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