Mikel Arteta Lets Arsenal Fans Dream With 28-Word Comment on Kylian Mbappe Rumors

Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out the possibility of Arsenal signing Kylian Mbappe but he admitted that the player looks more likely to join Real Madrid.

Mbappe formally informed Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi this week that he will be leaving the club this summer after his contract expires on June 30.

Although Madrid is widely seen as Mbappe's most probable destination, The Independent recently claimed that the 25-year-old would be willing to join Arsenal.

Mbappe's apparent openness to consider a move to the Emirates Stadium is reportedly linked to his respect for Gunners legend Thierry Henry.

Kylian Mbappe will be on the move in the summer after his PSG contract expires

IMAGO/PA Images/Adam Davy

However, Mbappe is currently the highest-paid player in the history of European soccer and it is doubtful that Arsenal would be able to afford his financial demands.

Nevertheless, when asked about Mbappe in a press conference on Friday, Arsenal manager Arteta's answer stopped short of shutting down fans' dreams completely.

Arteta told journalists at the London Colney training center, as quoted by Sky Sports: "When there is a player of that caliber, we always have to be in that conversation.

"But it looks in a different way, that's what I would say..."

In terms of where Mbappe will move to, Mikel Arteta has said that Arsenal "have to be in that conversation"

YouTube/Arsenal

Arteta was talking to the media on the eve of Arsenal's Premier League away game at Burnley on Saturday.

Arsenal will go into the weekend in third place in the EPL table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.

Mbappe is also set to be in action on Saturday with PSG scheduled to travel to Nantes.

PSG sit 11 points clear of second place in Ligue 1, while Mbappe is nine goals ahead of his closest rival in the race for the Golden Boot.