Arsenal 'make approach' for PSG star as battle with Barcelona begins

The Premier League champions have a big season ahead of them as they look to retain the title and challenge again in the Champions League.

Arsenal claimed the Premier League title last month with a game to spare and went on to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, eventually losing on penalties in Budapest.

Mikel Arteta won't settle for what he has. Arsenal hadn't won the title for 22 years and a taste of the top in Europe can be an intoxicating one.

As the transfer window creaks open, the Gunners and their rivals both domestically and on the continent are looking ahead to 2026-27 and beyond.

According to reports in France, Arsenal have made an approach to sign PSG defender Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer.

The French under-18 international captains PSG's under-19 side but is yet to feature for the first team. Despite the offer of professional terms from Paris and the opportunity to stay in the city with Paris FC, the teenager is expected to leave France to join his first senior club.

"According to our information, the latest club to have presented its project to the U18 international (8 caps) is none other than Arsenal, English champion and Champions League finalist , who have scouted him several times during the season," reports Le Parisien.

"One factor remains to be considered, however: he doesn't have the required number of points to immediately play in England. If the Gunners decide to pursue their interest, they would therefore have to look to send him to another league first."

Mbemba, who can play at centre-back or left-back and has already lifted silverware with PSG U19, also has the attention of Barcelona as well as German Bundesliga pair Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.

Mbemba has admirers at the highest level but his immediate future is limited

The sticking point for Arsenal would be the aforementioned work permit points. While Mbemba is old enough to sign a professional contract with an English club, he hasn't played enough first team football to have earned the right to work in the UK.

He would be a signing for the long-term and the choice of loan club would be an intriguing one, should a switch to Arsenal come about.

This is the kind of transfer that might typically lead to a loan directly back to the player's previous club.

Arsenal and PSG have met in the semi-finals and final of the Champions League in the last two seasons, so one would imagine Paris – at least the Parc des Princes – would be the last place Arsenal would send Mbemba to earn his stripes.