Arsenal have emerged as a potential destination for Atletico Madrid outcast Thomas Lemar, who is expected to leave the club on loan.
According to The Telegraph, as relayed by Football.London, Arsenal have received a late boost in their pursuit of Thomas Lemar. The Gunners have been given the opportunity to sign the Atletico Madrid star on a season-long loan deal as we head towards the final phase of the transfer deadline day.
Lemar’s Arsenal rumour appears to be simultaneously linked with Lucas Torreira’s proposed move to Atletico Madrid. The Uruguayan midfielder, after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta has been linked with a move away from Emirates and it is the believed that the Spanish are, in fact, on the verge of officiating his capture on the deadline day.
Torreira is not the only player to be linked with an exit at Arsenal, however, with Matteo Guendouzi also closing in on a switch to Hertha Berlin today. The Gunners, in turn, have been linked with a move for Hertha’s defensive starlet, Omar Rekik, who is the brother of ex-Man City centre-back, Karim Rekik.
As far as Lemar is concerned, the Frenchman had emerged as a shock target for Bayern Munich this past weekend. He was identified as one of the candidates in Hansi Flick’s bid to add more reinforcements in the offensive unit.
However, it seems the Bavarians have set their sights on Juventus attacker and ex-player, Douglas Costa, who has joined the club on a simple loan deal while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was signed from Paris Saint-Germain, putting Arsenal in pole position to secure the services of Lemar.
The Atletico Madrid star has had a difficult spell in Spain under Diego Simeone, failing to establish himself as a first-team regular. But, at Arsenal, he could be given an opportunity to provide some creative essence in the final third with his dynamism and flair likely to add an otherwise blunt creative unit. He could even emerge as a potential replacement for Mesut Ozil, whose contract at Emirates expires at the end of next season.
That said, Arsenal will first need to offload the likes of Torreira, Guendouzi and Sead Kolasinac before they can fund a move for Lemar this summer. It will be interesting to see whether or not they can work out a straight swap deal with Atletico Madrid, with Torreira heading to the opposite direction.
