Arsenal were pretty quiet during the January transfer window, but you would expect that to change in the summer.

With or without the Premier League title, you will expect them to try to flex their financial muscle, with Mikel Arteta leaving many surprised with his recent transfer comments.

It has been well-documented, but Kylian Mbappe is now set to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, which has put the world's elite teams on alert.

Sources have told HITC Football that the France international is expected to make a switch to Real Madrid, but talk of a possible move to Arsenal has surprised Chris Sutton, as he told the It's All Kicking Off Podcast.

The former striker questioned how Arsenal could afford to sign the 25-year-old given what he would demand in wages, agent fees and signing-on fees.

For a number of transfer windows now, Arsenal fans have called for their club to sign that number nine to help out Gabriel Jesus.

But the club have ignored those calls and paid money for the likes of Kai Havertz and David Raya instead. Players who have come under huge stick since their moves to the Emirates.

Given that the David Raya deal is a current loan, with an option to buy in the summer, then Chris Sutton has a point in questioning Mikel Arteta in why he would express an interest in signing a player like Kylian Mbappe.

Kylian Mbappe at Arsenal... "What? Little Arsenal?" said Sutton amid interest in Mbappe.

"I'm joking a little bit about little Arsenal, but you don't think Mbappe would be a good deal? It doesn't matter how much he would cost. I'm not a financial expert, but how could Arsenal afford that?"

It was always meant to be, so whilst the Premier League is awash with money, it just doesn't have the legacy a team like Real Madrid have.

If this deal goes through, as expected, then it makes life difficult for the rest of the European teams in these coming years.

The Spanish giants have historically been kings of Europe, but with players like Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham at their disposal.

You would expect these guys to dominate European football for the next decade and lift those big trophies time and time again.