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Arsenal tipped to make Mbappe signing that could ‘change the course of history’

9 May 2026 12:38 BST | 4 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Arsenal, 2025/26

Robin Bairner

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Arsenal have been told they could sign Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid if they overcome PSG in the Champions League final by club legend Emmanuel Petit.

The Gunners will face Luis Enrique’s side in Budapest on 30 May as they aim to win the club its first European Cup title.

And according to Petit, who was a member of the 1997/98 double-winning side, it could be a moment to unlock a new level in the transfer market for the North London outfit.

“If Arsenal win the Champions League for the first time, then it would change the course of their history and send a strong message in the transfer market,” Petit is quoted by The Sun.

“Players would of course want to play for the Champions League winners and hope they can go and win it again, it would help them attract Kylian Mbappe if he does leave Real Madrid.”

Mbappe has been causing a stir in Spain following a trip to Italy with his partner during his injury rehabilitation. There are claims that he lacks discipline, but Petit says that is unlikely to be an issue for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are on the hunt for a new attacking midfielder in the transfer market.

“Arsenal would love Kylian Mbappe and he’d be perfect on their left wing,” he claimed.

Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid

Why Mbappe fits Arsenal’s transfer plan

Mbappe has primarily been used as a centre-forward at Real Madrid, but it would be logical for him to be moved back into a wide area if he were to move to Arsenal.

The Gunners, after all, are seeking to offload at least one of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard during the summer as Arteta looks to upgrade his side.

There is little doubt he would do that, but the mechanics of a deal will naturally be complicated.

Will Mbappe leave Real Madrid?

Such is the turmoil at Real Madrid currently, nothing should be taken off the table, but Petit thinks that there is little prospect of Mbappe departing the Bernabeu this summer.

“The only reason I think Mbappe will stay at Real Madrid is because if he leaves without winning a trophy it would make his move a failure,” the World Cup-winning midfielder added.

“Mbappe has a huge ego so he will probably want to stay and to prove the opposite. I’m pretty sure about that.

“I don’t see him leaving Madrid, probably the biggest club in the world, unless the decision is made for him.

“The only way he leaves is if Florentino Perez cracks under the pressure.”

Real Madrid would likely demand an enormous fee for Mbappe, whose Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €129 million, making him the fifth most-valuable player in the world.