New world record offer to be tabled for striker by... Arsenal

Arsenal are willing to break the transfer record in an attempt to sign Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe and will launch a £125m offer this week, The Sunday Mirror reports.

The Gunners are thought to be hot on the heels of the teenage sensation, with Arsene Wenger having spoken with Mbappe’s father Wilfried in the hope that he can convince the family that a move to London is in the youngster’s best interest.

Real Madrid are also believed to be willing to go all out for the 18-year-old, but Arsenal’s intent is to launch an offer that Monaco cannot refuse to try and beat the European champions to the punch.

Wenger is thought to be willing to offer Mbappe a guarantee of first team football that he suggests the Spanish side will not, which could be crucial ahead of a World Cup year.

Mbappe took world football by storm last season, helping Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and Champions League semi-finals with 21 goals and 8 assists across the two competitions.

Of players to net at least five times, only Lionel Messi (every 73.6 minutes) scored more often in the Champions League than Mbappe (every 89.3 minutes) last season.