Arsenal have reportedly reignited their interest in Thomas Lemar, with a move for the January transfer window being lined up.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Arsenal are set to relaunch their pursuit of Thomas Lemar in the winter transfer window as they consider cashing in on Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in January. But, the Gunners will not match the £90 million bid that they submitted to AS Monaco on deadline day in the summer.
Lemar enjoyed a sensational rise to prominence last season, much like several of his other teammates at AS Monaco, as the club claimed a shock Ligue 1 triumph ahead of PSG. With 14 goals and 17 assists in 55 appearances, the player was a key figure in a stunning overall campaign for the Principality club.
His exploits did not go unnoticed either, with several clubs making overtures to sign him in the summer. A move away from Stade Louis II almost became a reality as well as Arsenal lodged a late £90 million bid on deadline day, but a move eventually failed to materialise.
Following the failed move, Lemar has struggled to recapture top form, having only managed a solitary goal in addition to three assists in 14 appearances. He still remains a popular figure in the transfer market though, with the player showing glimpses of last season’s form, especially while on France duty.
Arsenal are to launch a fresh January move for Monaco star Thomas Lemar… but the bid will be well below the £90m offered in August. (Source: Mail on Sunday) pic.twitter.com/NYnG4L7vcC
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 26, 2017
And one club is set to go back in for the 22-year-old when the transfer window reopens in January, with Arsenal reigniting their interest in the player. The Gunners’ chief executive Ivan Gazidis is making sweeping changes as part of his remodeling of the club, with Sven Mislintat from Borussia Dortmund announced as the new chief scout.
Raul Sanllehi is expected to be the latest name to arrive at the club, with the Barcelona director likely to effectively replace Dick Law as the transfer negotiator. As part of his initial course of action at Arsenal, Sanllehi is expected to finally resolve the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil while also identifying possible replacements.
Both Sanchez and Ozil are set to leave the club, either next summer or in January. And the Gunners are considering cashing in on the duo to recoup some money. While Sanchez’s Manchester City links have simmered, Barcelona have been heavily linked with Ozil recently, with the German a possible alternative to Philippe Coutinho.
In addition to selling Sanchez and Ozil, Arsenal have also reignited their interest in Lemar, who could be an ideal replacement at the Emirates, if he rediscovers his top form. However, the North London club will not bid anything near the £90 million figure in January.
While Monaco are still expecting Arsenal to match the aforementioned figure, they know that he is unlikely to attract the same figure again, especially with the Principality club lagging well behind PSG in Ligue 1 as well as their European adventure being already over.
Lemar is open to the move as well, and his desire for a transfer could pave the way for a January switch to Arsenal. It now remains to be seen if the move sees the light of day, with the Gunners set to kick into action upon the arrival of Sanllehi.
