Arsenal could have signed Kylian Mbappe for just £230,000 last year but £100m-rated teenager heads list of targets including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Lemar, Riyad Mahrez and Kingsley Coman                        Arsene Wenger is driving the attempt to recruit Kylian Mbappe, even though Arsenal recognise it will be a difficult task to persuade the 18-year-old to turn down Real Madrid or even to leave Monaco.

Arsenal have set aside at least €100m (£87.5m) for his recruitment and, ironically, were in talks with the striker and his family this time last year when he was out of contact and could have signed for about £230,000 under FIFA’s compensation rules.

Arsenal hopes of persuading Mbappe to move and for Monaco to let him go rest on the long-standing relationship they have with the player and his family and their promise of rapid development under Wenger. Arsene Wenger is driving the attempt to recruit Kylian Mbappe, even though Arsenal recognise it will be a difficult task to persuade the 18-year-old to turn down Real Madrid or even to leave Monaco.

Arsenal have set aside at least €100m (£87.5m) for his recruitment and, ironically, were in talks with the striker and his family this time last year when he was out of contact and could have signed for about £230,000 under FIFA’s compensation rules.

Arsenal hopes of persuading Mbappe to move and for Monaco to let him go rest on the long-standing relationship they have with the player and his family and their promise of rapid development under Wenger.