Inside story on how Arsenal failed to sign Kylian Mbappe despite secret transfer meeting

A LOOK BACK: Kylian Mbappe was previously targeted by Arsenal, who went to great lengths in their efforts to sign the French ace

Legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has previously disclosed the extraordinary measures he undertook in an attempt to bring Kylian Mbappe to the Emirates Stadium. The signing would have potentially reshaped the Gunners' trajectory entirely had the French boss succeeded in landing his countryman, though the pursuit appeared destined to fail from the outset.

By 2013, Mbappe had already established himself among the most promising youngsters at the renowned Clairefontaine academy on the outskirts of Paris. The esteemed French training ground has become synonymous with developing exceptional footballers, having previously nurtured Arsenal stars including Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Abou Diaby.

Consequently, speculation mounted when whispers emerged of a gifted young striker making waves at the prestigious facility. It was during this period that Wenger made the journey to France for a personal meeting with the teenager, then just 14 years of age, and his family, hoping to secure his signature.

"You know at one point I tried to convince him to come to Arsenal," Wenger recalled while contributing to a 2024 BBC documentary about the forward. "I was at his home with his parents. He was a happy boy. He just wanted to play football and had the passion for the game."

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Arsenal were merely one of several European giants vying for the exceptional youngster's signature. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City each entered the race for his services around the same time, alongside virtually every major French club.

Mbappe, now 27, did indeed make a trip to London for a trial, though not with the Gunners. The future World Cup champion actually featured for Chelsea in a youth fixture against Charlton, which the Blues "won 6-0 or 7-0," by Mbappe's own recollection, although astonishingly, he has no memory of scoring himself.

It later became apparent that Wenger faced an uphill battle, and the then-Arsenal chief couldn't persuade Mbappe to relocate to England despite his considerable efforts. And the move was perhaps never within reach, given the player's family were seemingly determined his development should remain on French soil.

Football journalist Julien Laurens previously explained to the BBC: "Sending Kylian to develop his game outside of France was never part of the plan. Clubs from all over Europe would say, 'Come to us.'

"It was never about the prestige of the club, because he could have gone to Real Madrid, to Chelsea, to Arsenal, to Manchester United. It was always about good academy, good coaches, and in the end he chose Monaco."

Following his graduation from Clairefontaine in 2013, Mbappe departed Bondy for Ligue 1 side Monaco. His progression proved meteoric, earning promotion to the first team within two years and making his senior bow shortly before turning 17.

It quickly became clear exactly what Arsenal had let slip through their fingers as Mbappe starred in Monaco's triumphant 2017 title-winning campaign. Barely of legal drinking age, he found the net 26 times across all competitions that season as Les Monegasques nearly secured a domestic double before Paris Saint-Germain promptly secured his services in a £166million deal (initially on loan).

Had Wenger managed to bring Mbappe to the Emirates, it's impossible to predict how significantly the club might have prospered. That said, one might argue the player wouldn't have developed into the same world-class talent without completing his formative years in his homeland.

A 2013 switch to north London could have even resulted in Mbappe, who joined Real as a free agent in 2024, playing alongside future Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. The Spanish midfielder was approaching the twilight of his playing days, eventually retiring at the Emirates in 2016.

How Arsenal's fanbase would have relished witnessing another electrifying French attacker spearheading their attack following the conclusion of Henry's iconic spell. However, despite Wenger's best efforts, the circumstances appeared unfavourable in his pursuit of this particular talent.