Mbappe: Madrid are interested

French striker Kylian Mbappe scpred 24 goals for Monaco last season

Premier League transfer target Kylian Mbappe claims Real Madrid have been trying to sign him since he was 14.

The 18-year-old Monaco striker has become one of the hottest prospects in world football after scoring 24 goals to help his club side to the Ligue 1 title in a season in which they also reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with a move for Mbappe, who made his fourth international appearance for France in their 3-2 win over England on Tuesday night.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted an interest in signing the teenage forward this summer, but fears the Gunners will be priced out of any potential transfer.

But the La Liga giants have been courting the forward for the past four years.

Mbappe congratulates Ousmane Dembele following his goal for France against England in Paris

“Real Madrid?” Mbappe said after the game in Paris. “They have been trying to recruit me since I was 14.”

Reports in Italy last month claimed Manchester United had bid £72m for Mbappe, but Sky sources confirmed no such offer has been made.

Mbappe has been described as a “huge football talent” who “has similarities to Thierry Henry” by Wenger, and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

The player himself, for now at least, is playing a straight bat to questions regarding his future.

“We’re going to go away with the family and we’ll think about what’s going to happen,” said Mbappe.

“We have to sort it out, see what happens with the club too, because I’m under contract with a club, I’m not free. We’ll see what’s happening.”