Kylian Mbappe has brutally revealed that there's "no way" he'd sign for Arsenal - despite Mikel Arteta being interested.
Mbappe, 25, is expected to finally leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer, ending years of speculation. When it emerged last month that the French superstar would be on the move, Arsenal boss Arteta went on the record to state that that his club should be in the race to sign players of Mbappe's world-class calibre - even if he's strongly being tipped to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.
"When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation," the Gunners manager declared. "But as you said it looks in a different way. Why not? If we want to be the best team, we are going to need the best talent and the best players, that is for sure."
Indeed, Mbappe's big-money move to Madrid appears highly likely, but he won't be joining Arsenal if the transfer falls through. In a clip which posted on social media, a Gunners supporters told Mbappe: "Come to Arsenal, we'll look after you."
"Arsenal?" the 25-year-old laughed back. "There's no way, there's no way." The young Arsenal fan asked in response: "Why?" and Mbappe replied: "It's too cold there."
Fellow fans of the North London side were gutted by Mbappe's snub, with one saying ahead of a potential clash between Arsenal and PSG in the Champions League final: "If we meet them in the final he'll pay for this."
Although it's not been confirmed by any of the relevant parties, the France captain does seem bound for Madrid when the summer transfer window opens in June. Both PSG and Real have reportedly chosen not to make any public announcement until later in the season because they, too, could meet in the Champions League final.
Mbappe will get a taste of life in Spain next month after the Parisians were drawn against Real's arch rivals, Barcelona, in the quarter-finals. PSG boss Luis Enrique appeared to let slip Mbappe's imminent departure after beating another Spanish side, Real Sociedad, in the round-of-16.
"He's the best player in the world," the Spaniard claimed. "He'll score 50 goals and provide 25 assists in any team with any coach and unfortunately he won't be here in the near future so we will have to test other teammates of his."
A few days later, the PSG manager, speaking to Prime Video Sport, added: "I wish all the best to Kylian Mbappe for his future. He's a fantastic player and even more as a person. I really wish him all the best."