Kylian Mbappe: Alan Smith Warns Arsenal of Potential Wage Structure Issues
Kylian Mbappe appears to be on the move from Paris Saint-Germain in the next 12 months, with Real Madrid his likely destination. But former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has warned his old club about the potential perils of signing the superstar and shattering their wage structure.
Mbappe has been warned by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he will not be allowed to depart on a Bosman upon the expiration of his contract. Reports last week claimed Arsenal would be Mbappe’s preferred destination should he choose to move to the Premier League, but Smith fears the addition of Mbappe could destabilise the harmony and togetherness Mikel Arteta has worked so hard to foster during his time at the helm.
“I would think that the chances of Mbappe joining Arsenal are extremely unlikely,” Smith told Gambling Zone. “The money that it would take to sign him would be astronomical. I think the only place he can go is Real Madrid. I think that’s the only place and that is probably the place that he wants to go as well. Financially, we know the club is run really well. I think Arsenal would be very conscious of the wage structure they have in place, which needs to be tightly controlled. I would be very surprised if they were to smash that with the signing of Mbappe, as great as it would be to have him because he is one of the best players in the world. I don’t think it’s very likely (that he will join the club).”
The prospect of signing Mbappe is an exciting one for Arsenal fans, but Smith’s warning should not be taken lightly. The Gunners have worked hard to build a team of players who are all pulling in the same direction and who are all on similar wages, and signing a player who would demand astronomical wages could disrupt this balance.
Arsenal must also consider the financial implications of signing Mbappe. The club has been operating on a tight budget for some time now, and signing a player who would command such a high salary could put a strain on their resources.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal will make a move for Mbappe this summer. The Frenchman is one of the best players in the world, but Smith’s warning should give Arsenal pause for thought before they make any rash decisions.