Ex-Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi reveals the Gunners tried to sign Kylian Mbappe at the age of 14

Former Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi revealed that the Gunners tried to sign Kylian Mbappe in 2013. 

Grimandi looked to strike a deal for Mbappe when the forward was just 14 and playing for AS Bondy, but he eventually elected to move to Monaco instead. 

Reflecting on the possible deal, Grimandi stated that the transfer looked ‘easy’ at one stage but Arsenal’s inconsistent results at the time made Mbappe consider moving elsewhere.

Now 24, Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.

However, there was a strong possibility of him joining Arsenal as a youngster.  

Gilles Grimandi revealed that Arsenal attempted to sign Kylian Mbappe when he was 14

Grimandi says a deal looked close at one stage but Mbappe signed for Monaco instead

Grimandi told The Sun: ‘The job of scouting is about finding but also missing players. For me, it is Kylian Mbappe. We just could not convince him.

‘He was out of contract in June 2013 and we met him in February. If we could have convinced him to join, he would have changed the club — but he then decided on Monaco.

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‘Arsenal were not always playing their best so it was quite complicated. At first it was easy, as soon as we talked to a player he wanted to sign it.

‘However, if you are not getting results it is difficult to bring top players to help the team.’

Despite interest from Arsenal, Mbappe ended up signing for Monaco when he left AS Bondy

Grimandi, who played for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, stated that it is important to remain at the top in order to attract high-quality players. 

However, he praised Arsenal for developing talented players through their academy such as Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.  

He said: ‘That’s why it is important to stay at the top for as long as possible. It is so much easier.

‘Yet the likes of Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah, who I watched develop, prove you should never forget the talent you have inside your club, even in difficult times.’

After leaving AS Bondy, Mbappe signed for Monaco in 2013 and went on to make his senior debut in 2015. Arsenal also tried to sign Mbappe in 2016, with Arsene Wenger visiting his house, but PSG ended up finalising a deal. 

At Monaco Mbappe scored 27 goals in 60 games, while for PSG he has netted 196 goals in 243 appearances so far.

Mbappe has also scored 36 goals in 66 games for France, and played a key part in their World Cup success in 2018.