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Arsenal news: Kylian Mbappe admits summer move to the Gunners was a ‘real option’
KYLIAN MBAPPE has revealed he turned down Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to sign for boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe celebrates move to PSG with UNREAL goal for France
Mbappe, who was today unveiled as a Paris Saint-Germain player, rebuffed all other interest to return to the French capital.
The 18-year-old, who grew up in Paris, completed his footballing education with Monaco before joining PSG on loan, a deal which will turn permanent for £166million next summer.
The France international said a move to Arsenal was also a “real option” after meeting with Gunners boss Wenger - but he had his heart set on PSG.
Mbappe said: "Yes, I met with Arsene Wenger, who is a great coach.
Kylian Mbappe turned down Arsenal to join boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain
Arsenal was a real option for me
"He has a great reputation here in France, he's well-respected and knows how to develop young players.
“This was a real option for me. But, of course, Paris Saint-Germain was the main option."
As a child Mbappe had supported PSG and that made his decision a lot easier.
"Being here is like going back home for me,” Mbappe said on the move. “I used to come to this stadium when I was a boy to watch games."
Mbappe opted to work under coach Unai Emery in a front line also featuring fellow summer signing Neymar, who cost PSG £200m from Barcelona.
He added: "We weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of all the clubs but my family told me it had to be my decision and one I needed to make.
"It also had to be a long-term decision. So it was up to me and I decided to come here in order to develop."
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