Arsenal look set to complete another mega signing this summer, with a recent breakthrough in negotiations with Monaco over the possible transfer of one of their star players.
Monaco have already lost many first teamers including Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy to Manchester City. Kylian Mbappe looks set to stay at the club, he had attracted interest from Arsenal too, but it is midfielder Thomas Lemar who now looks likely to move to Arsenal.
Lemar, along with Alexandre Lacazette was one of Arsenal’s prime targets at the start of the summer and the club have already had two bids knocked back for the Frenchman. Monaco’s stance publicly has always been that they would not sell the player, but Lemar is believed to have his heart set on a move to The Gunners and he may now get his wish.
Monaco are now favourites to sign Rachid Ghezzal from Lyon and if he does join, he could be the replacement for Lemar – freeing up the 21-year-old to seal the move to The Emirates.
Arsenal have remained in negotiations with Monaco despite having two bids knocked back, and they are confident that a third bid of something close to £50million will be enough to finally get this signing over the line. Despite the public stance from Monaco, Fresh Arsenal understands there have been talks behind the scenes for months and Arsenal remain confident of tying this one up before the transfer window shuts.
Lemar is a versatile midfielder but his preference is to play on the left-hand side of midfield. Arsenal believe he could play in an advanced midfield position on the left, as a central midfielder or even as a left wing back. This versatility would certainly be useful, as would his potential impact in the final third. Lemar netted 10 and assisted another 10 in Ligue 1 last season to help Monaco to the title.
Some see Lemar as a potential Alexis replacement, but Arsenal certainly view him as an addition to the squad and it is more likely that someone like Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott will leave in the wake of this deal.
Stay tuned to fresharsenal.com and @Fresh_Arsenal for more on this story as it develops.