Arsenal have reportedly given up on signing Kylian Mbappe this summer and have decided to focus on luring Thomas Lemar and Alexander Lacazette.

According to a report by Daily Mail, Arsenal are putting a lid on their pursuit of AS Monaco star striker Kylian Mbappe and are focusing on signing Thomas Lemar and Alexander Lacazette instead. Even though Mbappe was identified as a priority target, the Gunners have recognized that the chances of a deal are highly unlikely.

Mbappe is currently one of the most sought-after players in world football after his electrifying performances for Monaco in the Champions League. Big names like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool were among the clubs interested but the French club are clinging on tightly to their star player.

Shifting Arsenal’s focus to complete deals for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and Monaco attacker Thomas Lemar seems to be an ideal option since Arsene Wenger needs concrete deals and they cannot afford to waste any more time in pursuing deals that are likely to not work out.

Getting to sign Thomas Lemar also might not be an easy task since he was also instrumental in Monaco’s record-breaking season last term. The Gunners will have an intense fight on their hands to pry Lemar away from Monaco.

Running towards an Arsenal move? (Photo courtesy - Jean-Sebastien Evrard/AFP/Getty Images)
Running towards an Arsenal move? (Photo courtesy – Jean-Sebastien Evrard/AFP/Getty Images)

In his second season with Monaco, Lemar played a key role for the newly-crowned French champions, and has been a crucial aspect of the attack. The France international made 55 appearances in all competitions for Monaco last season, with an impressive number of 14 goals and 17 assists to his name.

Lemar is clearly one of the most promising talents in attack as was evident in the recently concluded season and can fill the void in Arsenal if Alexis Sanchez chooses to leave this summer. Wenger will need a left-sided attacking player and Lemar can provide genuine quality in attack.

Lacazette, on the other hand, bagged 36 goals in 44 games across competitions in 2016/17 and he enjoyed what’s being touted as his best season in a Lyon shirt last term. Also, since he is 26, this seems like the ideal time for him move out of the club in search of greener pastures.

Set for Arsenal switch. (Photo courtesy - Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images)
Set for Arsenal switch. (Photo courtesy – Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images)

In fact, Lacazette’s numbers have never dropped below 20 goals in the past four season for Lyon, which is exactly the kind of fire power the Gunners require in their attack ahead of an important upcoming season.

Wenger has rightfully made it his mission to revamp his Arsenal squad this summer with addition of proven quality after a humiliating fifth-placed finish last season which saw them lose out on a Champions League spot. To do so, signing Lemar and Lacazette does seem like a move in the right direction.

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