Follow Thierry Henry, sign for Real Madrid or stay at Monaco: What should Kylian Mbappe do next?
D-Day is rapidly approaching for Kylian Mbappe. The 18-year-old sensation coveted by every major force in European football may have the world at his feet but he is already facing the biggest decision of his fledgling career.
The Monaco strikers goals decorated the French sides unlikely and uplifting Ligue 1 title winning campaign, while he also played a prominent role in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, twisting and tormenting defenders more than 10 years his senior.
Real Madrid and Arsenal lead the race for the France international, but the likes of Chelsea, both Manchester giants, PSG and Bayern have also been credited with strong interest.
Mbappe is due to hold talks with Monaco today, according to L'Equipe, to discuss his future and here we assess his options….
Perhaps the most sensible and obvious course of action would be for Mbappe to remain in France with the champions, for at least another season, on significantly improved terms.
His current deal expires in the summer of 2019 and given his exploits last season and abundant potential he will, with some justification, be asking for a huge pay rise if he opts to commit to Monaco.
Kylian Mbappes Ligue 1 stats 2016/17.
The clubs vice-president Vadim Vasilyev would have no trouble bankrolling an improved offer, particularly given the fact that several of last seasons team are likely to be granted permission to leave in the close season.
Already Bernardo Silva has signed for Manchester City, while Tiemou Bakayoko and Thomas Lemar seem destined for London with Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea circling, which does beg the question what sort of side would Mbappe be spearheading? come August.
At least for his own sake, manager Leonardo Jardim has committed to a new long-term contract amid strong speculation he was set for a move to the Chinese Super League.
The Monaco boss can offer his main man a guarantee of regular first team football which could well be crucial in World Cup year. Follow in Thierry Henrys footsteps and sign for Arsenal.
The similarities between Mbappe and Arsenals record goalscorer are almost freakish. Speed, stealth and arrogance are all traits the French stars past and present share, but while Henrys goalscoring prowess was coached into him, Mbappes nose for goal appears to be natural.
Where better, therefore, could Mbappe hone his skills than under the tuition of the man who converted Henry from wayward winger into the deadliest Premier League striker of his generation?.
Cynics would, however, point to the fact that for every Henry and Nicolas Anelka there is a Yaya Sanogo or Jeremie Aliadiere, young French strikers full of promise whose careers have nosedived at Arsenal.
A move to London might seem like an attractive option but the pressure of emulating Henry, never mind shouldering the goalscoring burden should Alexis Sanchez depart, would surely be too much to contend with.
5/10. Move to another Premier League club. If a move to England is the option Mbappe chooses, his choice is unlikely to be restricted to just Arsenal.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has already spoken in glowing terms of the striker and he is certain to delve into the market this summer, especially given Diego Costa's text message revelations.
Romelu Lukaku is the man seemingly destined to replace the Spain striker, however, and although Conte plans to implement a 4-2-4 formation on certain occasions next season, Mbappe does not seem a natural fit for Chelsea.
Similarly, the work ethic and defensive qualities Jose Mourinho requires of his forwards makes a move to Manchester United seem unlikely and Mbappe is unlikely to receive glowing reports from Anthony Martial, his former teammate, who is struggling to get a game for club and country.
Pep Guardiola's style of football is perhaps more suited to Mbappe's qualities but the vast array of options the former Barcelona man has at his disposal means a move to Manchester City, who covet Alexis Sanchez, is unlikely.
Liverpool, too, reportedly submitted a bid for Mbappe earlier this summer. Jurgen Klopp has a sound record of working with young talent and with Champions League football to offer, the Reds could represent an intriguing option.
Become the next Real Madrid Galactico. Whatever Mbappe decides this summer, it appears as if it is his destiny to one day sign for Real Madrid.
After Englands friendly defeat in Paris earlier this week, Mappe revealed the he wasnt fazed by the mounting speculation he would become the worlds first £100 million player this summer and move to the Bernabeu, given the Spanish giants have been chasing him since he was 14 years old.
His talent undoubtedly deserves to be showcased on the biggest of stages and the temptation, even at this early stage of his career, must be overwhelming.
Mbappes bedroom as a child was plastered wall to wall with posters of Critiano Ronaldo, while playing in a side managed by French legend Zinedine Zidane would represent a dream come true.
Learning from Ronaldo and his all-star support cast would surely be beneficial but there need not be any undue rush.
The fate of Martin Odegaard should act as a warning, while James Rodriguezs sudden and rapid demotion should also act as a cautionary tale.
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