According to reports, Arsenal are closing on one of their top targets with Monaco winger Thomas Lemar being tipped for a £30million move to the club.
Having missed out on a place in the Premier League’s top-four last season, Arsene Wenger is determined not just to reclaim a place in the UEFA Champions League, but to launch a genuine bid for a first league title since 2004 next season. To do this he knows he has to add some real quality to his squad in the coming weeks, and he has a shopping list of some ambition.
It has been suggested that the French coach is prepared to pay a world record fee for Kylian Mbappe, the hottest property in world football, although this would be seen as something of a long-shot considering Real Madrid are also interested. Alexandre Lacazette, the Lyon striker, is a viable alternative, and a club record fee of around £49million should be enough to land the 26-year-old.
And according to the Daily Mail, Wenger is growing increasingly confident of landing Lemar, who plays alongside Mbappe at Monaco. The 21-year-old winger made a huge contribution last season as his side won the Ligue 1 title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, making 55 appearances in all competitions and scoring 14 goals whilst assisting in 17 more.
As much as Leonardo Jardim would love to keep the France international in the principality, he also knows this will be difficult if, as is expected, a large offer is made for his signature. And it is reported that the Gunners will test the water with an opening bid of £30million for Lemar, who could become their second signing of the summer after free transfer Sead Kolasinac.
