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Kylian Mbappe receives firm Arsenal transfer verdict

11 May 2026 18:06 BST | 5 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Arsenal

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

After years of pining for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe finally completed his dream move to the Bernabeu on a Bosman deal in 2024 as arguably the best player in world football.

Two years later, his relationship with the club’s fanbase has soured, rumours suggest he is no longer liked by his team-mates, he is yet to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey or the Champions League, and he could face the humiliating circumstance of watching his former club Paris Saint-Germain become champions of Europe for the second consecutive time later this month.

All in all, despite a stellar goalscoring record, it’s not gone to plan at Madrid.

It’s reported that a viral ‘Mbappe Out’ petition has been signed over 70 million times by disgruntled Los Blancos fans and head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has even hinted that his star forward may not play again this season.

Mbappe was expected to feature against Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday, after recovering from a hamstring injury, but he withdrew from contention to be selected after feeling discomfort in the final training session before the match.

It’s reported that Real Madrid staff members were surprised by this decision and Mbappe’s absence during the 2-0 defeat, which handed Barcelona the title, has unsurprisingly further angered Los Blancos supporters.

The France superstar still has four years remaining on his current contract at Real Madrid and it’s highly likely that a world record fee, in excess of the €222 million that PSG paid to sign Neymar in 2017, would be required to secure his signature this summer.

However, tension is undoubtedly rising and Mbappe’s position at the club is certainly far from a rosy one.

In fact, Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit believes his former club could sign his compatriot this summer if they overcome PSG in the Champions League final on 30 May" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/05/arsenal-transfer-news-emmanuel-petit-tips-kylian-mbappe-signing-to-change-the-course-of-history" target="_blank">In fact, Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit believes his former club could sign his compatriot this summer if they overcome PSG in the Champions League final on 30 May.

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

Meanwhile, Arsenal rank as the bookies’ favourite to become Mbappe’s next club if he leaves Real Madrid this summer. However, data analytics experts SciSports" href="https://career-advice.scisports.app/player-career-advice/view-transfer-advice" target="_blank">SciSports have advised Mbappe to reconcile with Los Blancos and continue his career at the Bernabeu.

Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe transfer verdict

Given their huge outlay last summer, his extortionate wages and Real Madrid’s expected asking price, it’s unlikely that Arsenal would be able to fund a move for Mbappe this summer in any case.

However, SciSports believe this is a good thing for the France international. While he would become a superstar at the Emirates Stadium, and would likely be given freedom on the left flank, it’s viewed that a move to Arsenal wouldn’t suit him.

The Gunners rank as Mbappe’s fifth-best destination in world football, with a Club Fit score of 69, but this pales in comparison to Real Madrid.

Staying at Los Blancos is unequivocally recommended to Mbappe by SciSports, with a Club Fit score of a whopping 96 out of 100.

Despite his differences with the club’s backroom staff and fanbase, Mbappe has still scored 85 goals in 100 games for Real Madrid and although there are concerns over his suitability to playing alongside Vinicius Jr, SciSports believe that leaving the club would be a grave error.

There have been flashes of brilliance during Mbappe’s spell at Real Madrid and the foundations are there for him to succeed at the club if they get their next managerial appointment right.

The Frenchman will need to drop his ego and help out defensively if he wants to win the Champions League, but a move to Arsenal isn’t seen as the saving grace that could reignite Mbappe’s career and remaining at Real Madrid is instead advised as his most suitable choice this summer.