Premier League duo of Arsenal and Liverpool are ready to fight for securing a deal for AS Monaco’s Thomas Lemar. The French star has been linked with a move to a better European club . Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger both are wishing to sign Lemar for their side.
Thomas Lemar has been rumored to leave Ligue 1 champions Monaco quite ago and that move may be imminent in this winter transfer window as he seeks to play in a more professional league. Liverpool and Arsenal are now gearing up for a bidding war to land Monaco in order to boost their hopes of qualification for the Champions League next season.
Having just lost star Brazilian Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for a massive fee of £142m, Liverpool will be looking to spend the money wisely and lure in Thomas Lemar, who could be an ideal replacement for the 25-year-old winger.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was adamant to sell Coutinho, but the former Inter Milan man had his sights set on moving to the Camp Nou. With lacking a solid play-maker in the centre of the pitch, Liverpool will be hoping to step up their pursuit of Lemar to qualify for the Champions League by securing a top 4 finish. The management will be trying to push the Merseyside club to go all the way in the FA Cup, which is their only real possible chance of silverware this season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been targeting Lemar for quite a long but has failed to bring in the Monaco talisman. The French club also rejected a few offers from Arsenal stating that he was not for sale after fearing a break-up of their title-winning squad last term.
But with Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez refusing to sign a new deal at the Emirates stadium, Wenger knows that those are big boots to fill if Sanchez leaves the club and therefore have lined up Lemar as a replacement. There are also rumors floating around England stating that Sanchez could possibly be out on his way to Premier League leaders Manchester City during the January winter transfer window which would generate a few funds for Arsenal.With that funds they will look to purchase Lemar as Sanchez runs out his Arsenal contract at the end of the summer.
Lemar is an attacking winger who can play anywhere along the front-line. He is predominantly left-footed but is also equally good with his right. The 22-year-old produces excellent dribbling skills and has caught the eye of many top clubs in Europe. He is a great passer of the ball along with gifted vision and technique. Lemar is a dead-ball specialist as well which tells you why Liverpool and Arsenal so desperately want this young talent under their belts.
In 72 league appearances for Monaco, he has scored 16 times. However, in a dream season last term he scored 14 goals and notched up 17 assists in 55 appearances helping his side win the French Ligue 1. Lemar is valued to be around £80m and is more likely to join Liverpool as the Reds now have the funds to spend.
