Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Kylian Mbappe and Aaron Ramsey Rumours

Arsenal's hopes of potentially signing AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe may have been buoyed after a source close to the player talked up Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.

Speaking to French publication Le Parisien (h/t Metro's Tom Olver), a relative of Mbappe said Wenger's presence is the main reason the player would join Arsenal: "If Kylian signs for Arsenal tomorrow, it will be for him (Wenger)."

Specifically, the family member revealed how Wenger's history of turning young French strikers into stars is appealing: "He knows how to shape young players and especially the former strikers of the French team, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka."

Perhaps most importantly, the Gunners playing in Europe's second-tier tournament next season doesn't count against their chances of possibly landing Mbappe. Le Parisien's source said: "The Europa League is not an obstacle in itself."

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The words are likely to be music to Wenger's ears since the Arsenal boss has gone all out to try to sign Mbappe since the season ended. His attempts so far include bidding £87 million for the prolific 18-year-old, an offer promptly rejected by the principality club, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard.

Significantly, Wenger has already promised Mbappe a central role should he move to north London, according to Rob Draper of the Mail on Sunday.

It's no surprise Wenger's presence is Arsenal's inside track to Mbappe. The manager has laid the groundwork for an Mbappe deal after trying to sign the teenager last year.

Wenger admitted he visited the player's house and came close to a deal in 2016, per an interview with beIN Sports (h/t ESPN.co.uk): "The player would tell you that I was at his home last year to try to get him here because he was at the end of (his) contract, but Monaco managed to keep him and the decision was very, very tight."

Wenger's history of developing strikers should appeal to Mbappe and his family. The 67-year-old turned a precocious Nicolas Anelka into an instant star in 1997.

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Anelka's pace helped the Gunners win a Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998, before the France international joined Real Madrid for big money a year later.

Wenger replaced Anelka with Thierry Henry in 1999 and quickly helped him convert from winger to centre-forward. It's a transition Mbappe is already in the process of making, and he could take comfort from Henry's career.

Like Mbappe, Henry began as a breakout graduate of Monaco's youth academy when Wenger was in charge. He also matured into a striker who routinely roamed into and from wide areas to pull markers out of position.

Henry's pace and perceptive movement became essential to the free-flowing brand of football Wenger's Gunners played. Mbappe is the same kind of striker, one who has drawn comparisons with Henry and is even expected by some to exceed him, per Matt Spiro of beIN Sports:

Wenger used to build his teams around pace up front. Mbappe can stretch defences more than Arsenal target man Olivier Giroud and is already a more polished finisher than Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott.

If Wenger could pull off a deal for a player also wanted by Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, it would be a major coup for a beleaguered manager trying to get the Gunners back to the glory days of Anelka, Henry and Co.

Contract Extension Planned for Aaron Ramsey

Aside from potential new signings, Wenger is also keen to retain the core members of his squad, including midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal have begun talks over extending the Welsh midfielder's contract, per Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph.

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Wilson noted how the Gunners are anxious to avoid another summer with so many notable players' contracts running down. Wenger is trying to get Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to sign new deals this summer, and Wilson pointed out how "Ramsey, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck" will face uncertain futures in 2018.

Ramsey is a vital figure in Arsenal's midfield when healthy. He is a dynamic, box-to-box talisman who has a keen eye for goal and boasts underrated creativity and flair.

The 26-year-old was terrific during the latter stages of last season. His hard work provided the perfect complement to deep-lying playmaker Granit Xhaka in the middle.

Ramsey capped his late-season revival by heading in the winning goal to beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final. It was Ramsey's second cup-final winner in four years after he scored in extra time against Hull City in 2014.

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Two winning goals and three FA Cup trophies means Ramsey has proved something of a bargain after signing for just £5 million from Cardiff City in 2008. He's rebounded superbly from the broken leg he suffered against Stoke City in 2010, and while he still has his share of fitness problems, Ramsey is a match-winner when available.

It makes sense for Wenger to do all he can to retain a strong base of talented players like Ramsey. Supplementing this group with a star signing such as Mbappe can make Arsenal a force in the new season.