Ex-Arsenal scout reveals how close Gunners came to signing Kylian Mbappe as he says transfer looked ‘easy’ at one point

FORMER Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi revealed the club came close to signing Kylian Mbappe when he was a teenager.

The Frenchman, 52, played for the Gunners between 1997-2002, winning two Premier Leagues and two FA Cups.

He later became a scout and spent 13 years in the role, but witnessed Arsenal's gradual decline in their ability to lure young talent to the squad.

Grimandi recalled their pursuit of a 14-year-old Mbappe, who decided to join Monaco instead of moving to North London.

He told SunSport: “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.

“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.

“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.”

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Arsenal also tried to sign superstar Mbappe in 2016 with former manager Arsene Wenger visiting his home.

Mbappe was out of contract but decided to extend his stay with Monaco, a decision that paid off as he broke into the first team a year later.