2 – Thomas Lemar
Arsenal have been trying to sign Lemar all summer, but Wenger last week declared the deal as ‘dead’ with Monaco publicly unwilling to sell. But behind the scenes the French club have been negotiating with not only Arsenal but Liverpool and Barcelona. With Monaco completing the signing of Balde Keita from Lazio yesterday, their stance could change on Lemar on deadline day as the club now have a ready made replacement for the French international. With Alexis Sanchez looking likely to join Manchester City on deadline day, Arsenal are desperate to sign a ready made replacement and the exciting Lemar is viewed as an ideal replacement should Alexis leave. It is thought that Lemar would cost in excess of £60million, which is about what Arsenal expect to receive for Alexis, despite the Chilean having 1 year left on his contract. The Guardian have backed these claims up this evening.