Arsenal legend Robert Pires says his former club will sign talented teenager Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.
The striker has been linked to several of Europe’s top clubs, but the French side’s £100m price-tag has so far proved a sticking point.
But Pires says Mbappe will head to the Emirates, and that Arsene Wenger is the best man to help him develop.
‘I do think Arsenal will sign him,’ Pires, who spent six years at the club and won two Premier League titles, told Bwin.
‘The problem is how much. Mbappe has the potential to play for Arsenal and Wenger is the right manager to manage him.
‘Monaco and Arsenal are very similar in clubs, so it won’t be much of a transition.’
Wenger helped develop another Monaco graduate, Thierry Henry, into a superstar at Arsenal.
But Pires is wary of comparisons between the two French forwards, saying it is too soon to place Mbappe in the company of Henry.
‘The comparison is unnecessary, he’s not ready to be compared to Thierry. Mbappe is a very similar player but to compare the two players would be unfair.
‘I hope that Kylian can follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry, he has the same profile as Thierry – quick, strong and a great finisher but he’s very young so I would hold off on comparisons just yet.’
Pires still trains with his former club, and has been a vocal advocate for Wenger’s management despite supporter unrest.
And the Gunners legend says he believes Wenger will sign a new deal this summer having led Arsenal back into the Champions League and having won the FA Cup.
‘I always want to see Arsenal finish in the top four. Champions League is incredibly important for the club, fans and players.
‘I understand that you cannot give up a big trophy like the FA Cup but Champions League is much better for the club. But, I think Arsenal will finish in the top four, and win the FA Cup.
‘I understand the fans and it’s quite right to criticise the players when they’re not performing and it’s down to the players to prove those critics wrong.
‘You’re not always going to win the league, it’s impossible and there are so many good teams in this league.
‘My message to the fans is be patient. Arsene has done well for a long, long time and he knows that the fans want to compete in the Premier League and he’s doing his best to make sure that happens.
‘Of course there are reasons why it hasn’t happened this season, but Arsene is 100 per cent the right man for the job.
‘I want Arsene to extend his contract for two or three more seasons, I’ve made that very clear. I think we can challenge for the league next year.’