The Premier League side, Liverpool have been linked with a move for the AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar. Things went viral after the he decided to turn down a new contract with the French club. The 22-year-old youngster, who has eight international caps for his country, has been average so far. He scored three goals and provided five assists in 23 appearances in all competitions for the defending Ligue 1 champions so far this season.
However, after the failure of £78m offer from Arsenal last summer and and Philippe Coutinho’s high budget transfer to FC Barcelona, the left winger has been highly linked with the Reds.
According to some rumour, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp may return with an offer once the 2017-18 season is finished, with Lemar currently valued at around £58.5m. Though it got no proof to establish the fact.
A gigantic £142 million deal in January by Coutinho, manager Jurgen Klopp is said to be on hunt for a replacement and Lemar would be a wise choice for the English side.
But now, here comes the real drama. According to some Liverpool based sources, Liverpool have removed the Monaco ace from their list of targets, leaving Premier League rivals Arsenal in a smooth position to sign him.
However, the Reds have decided to end their run after him, and may now focus on other targets ahead of the summer window.
It is reported that Michael Edwards sporting director of Liverpool, held talks with Monaco last August over a potential move for Lemar, but the Reds were unable to agree a deal.
Arsenal’s interest in the Frenchman is said to have bumped up their asking price for the youngster, and Liverpool were not prepared to meet their demands, with Klopp feeling the funds would be better spent elsewhere.
Lemar got the spotlight of Liverpool and Arsenal after he scored 14 goals and claimed 17 assists as Monaco won the Ligue 1 title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.
However, possibly due to the uncertainty over his future, the youngster has failed to repeat that form this term and has only three goals and five assists in 23 appearances.
It is said that £90 million price tag which the Reds boss felt was excessive. Klopp believes that the cash may have better options to be spent elsewhere in the summer window.
Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter as well as Klopp and Edwards, who are the club’s recruitment team, are convinced that there are other players in that position who will be available this summer and are more suited to what Liverpool require.
Liverpool is now at third position in the English Premier League points table, five points below the United and 18 points behind the leader City. They are gonna face Southampton and Porto in the Premier League and Champions League respectively. Liverpool are already out of the FA cup and the Carabao cup run. City are 18 points ahead of them. So they may now focus at the Champions League with all their strength, and what they need is a quality replacement of star player Coutinho!
