Transfer News: Manchester United weigh up Thomas Lemar move

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a move for AS Monaco superstar Thomas Lemar, who is being heavily tailed by Arsenal.

According to Daily Record, Manchester United are ready to raid on Arsenal’s priority summer target. AS Monaco superstar Thomas Lemar has emerged as a shock target for the Red Devils, with the club failing to land relatively higher-profile summer targets in the wide attacking position.

Thomas Lemar was thrust into the spotlight after a remarkable 2016-17 campaign at AS Monaco, with the player and the club both producing exhilarating displays as Monaco stunned favourites PSG by lifting the Ligue 1 title while putting together a brilliant run up until the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

As is the norm though, several of AS Monaco’s shining stars were snapped up by comparitively higher profile teams and it looks like Lemar, who recorded 14 goals and 17 assists in 55 appearances last season, could be about to follow suit.

The player has been long linked to an ever-impending move to Arsenal, who had been touted as the Frenchman’s most likely destination this summer. Arsenal need reinforcements out wide with Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continuously linked with a move away from the club.

And even though the Ox has been deployed as more of a wing-back, the options out wide in attack look limited for Arsene Wenger, something which he is looking to improve with the signing of Thomas Lemar.

However, Monaco’s insistence on the player being not for sale was reaffirmed as Arsenal had as many as three bids rejected for the 21-year-old. Lemar, though, could be set for a stunning move to Premier League after all, albeit to a team other than Arsenal – Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho has publicly expressed his desire to bring in one more player -a wide attacker – and the club has been reported be in pursuit of high-profile targets such as Ivan Perisic and Gareth Bale. However, with no success in pursuit of either, he looks to have shifted his attention to Lemar now.

Indeed, Lemar would be a better prospect for United compared to Perisic, who has been touted as the primary target for the Red Devils. The 21-year-old is younger and would provide more footballing years to the club while also having significantly better resale value than the Croatian.

This move, though, may see Arsenal speed up their pursuit of the Frenchman. However, if United does join the chase and have a bid accepted by Monaco, it would come as a huge disappointment for the Gunners, who have been tailing the player for so long.