Arsenal are reportedly set to table their third bid to continue their attempts to sign Thomas Lemar from AS Monaco this summer
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, Arsene Wenger is set to prepare a third transfer assault on Thomas Lemar, with Arsenal desperately pursuing the AS Monaco midfielder. The Frenchman is confident that they can persuade his compatriot midfielder to make the summer switch to the Emirates.
Lemar enjoyed a sensational rise to prominence for an AS Monaco side that took entire Europe by storm last season by claiming a shock Ligue 1 triumph while also reaching the Champions League semifinals. And the player was an integral part to the club’s success with his stellar performances on the left side of attack.
A mainstay in Leonardo Jardim’s side, Lemar amassed a staggering 55 appearances over the course of the campaign, boasting an impressive return of 14 goals and 17 assists. His exploits haven’t gone unnoticed as the 21-year-old has become one of the most highly sought after players in Europe.
Arsenal are willing to make a third bid of more than £45m for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar. [Daiily Mirror] pic.twitter.com/aOeRp6B8Rh
— TransferNewsCentral (@TransferNewsCen) July 10, 2017
In fact, the likes of Juventus, Barcelona and Tottenham have all been linked with the player in recent months. But, Arsenal are the strongest candidates to land Lemar this summer, having been hot in his pursuit for a long time now.
Arsene Wenger is resigned to losing Alexis Sanchez as with less than 12 months remaining on his current contract, the Chilean is refusing to sign a new deal with the club despite several offers by the Gunners. Should Sanchez indeed depart from the Emirates this summer, Arsenal would be short of genuine quality in attack.
Therefore, Lemar has been identified as a viable target by Wenger, with the player capable of providing a pacy outlet as well as creativity. And at 21, the France international can be a long-term solution in attack for Arsenal.
Monaco, though, are looking to squeeze out every penny for the player, having already rejected two bids from the North London club. But, the Arsenal boss remains confident that he can land Lemar this summer and is, thus, set to table a bid worth £45 million.
Should Monaco finally budge and let Lemar leave for the aforementioned amount, it will be the second time this summer that Arsenal would have surpassed their previous transfer record – £42.5 million for Mesut Ozil – after Alexandre Lacazette arrived at the Emirates in a £52 million deal.
It now remains to be seen if Arsenal are able to finally land their priority target, or if they are forced to set their sights elsewhere to bring an attacking reinforcement.
