Liverpool have reportedly emerged as the favourites ahead of Arsenal to sign Thomas Lemar in January, with the AS Monaco star preferring a switch to Anfield.
According to a report by The Independent, Liverpool have reignited their interest in Thomas Lemar, who favours a move to Anfield over Emirates. Arsenal are also in pursuit of the AS Monaco midfielder, having failed to sign him on deadline day in the summer.
Lemar enjoyed a spectacular 2016-17 season with AS Monaco as they claimed a shock Ligue 1 triumph ahead of PSG. With a haul of 14 goals and 17 assists in 55 appearances, the player was a key figure for the principality club, leading to widespread interest in him in the summer.
The final club that attempted to sign him was Arsenal, albeit failing with a late £90 million deadline day bid. Lemar’s form has subsequently dropped, with just two goals and four assists in 18 outings this term. The interest in him hasn’t dropped down though, with the Gunners among those still in the player’s pursuit.
Monaco VP Vadim Vasilyev on #LFC target Thomas Lemar: “The sale of important players is not on the agenda. We have never spoken [to Lemar] about the possibility of a January departure.” ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/MPnwnrVZx5
— Jack Lusby (@jacklusby_) December 22, 2017
The North London club is set to lose Alexis Sanchez, either in January or next summer, with Manchester City the favourites to finally secure his services. Arsene Wenger is, thus, starting to prepare for life after the Chilean, with Lemar the top target to replace him at the Emirates.
But, they face stiff competition from Liverpool in pursuit of the Frenchman, with the Reds rekindling their interest in him. The Merseyside club’s interest in him perhaps stems from Barcelona’s unrelenting chase of Philippe Coutinho, who hasn’t quashed exit rumours either.
While the Brazilian’s possible departure is looming large, Klopp is also eyeing Lemar to add variety to his attacking options, irrespective of Coutinho’s future. The German manager also seems to have received a shot in the arm from Lemar’s preference to join Liverpool ahead of Arsenal.
There are a couple of sticking points in their January pursuit of the 22-year-old. though. To begin with, the France international will be ineligible to represent Liverpool in the Champions League when the Round of 16 commences, something that won’t be a cause for concern for Arsenal.
Secondly, Monaco will command a £90 million fee for him again, which would see the Reds shatter their transfer record. Meanwhile, the principal club’s vice president Vadim Vasilyev has claimed that Lemar will not depart from Stade Louis II in January, and it remains to be seen if either club manages to land him.