AS Monaco are set to test Arsenal’s resolve with a £45 million bid for Alexis Sanchez, who is also a target for Manchester City among several other clubs.
According to The Sun, AS Monaco are set to do a PSG by turning the tables on the suitors for one of their star players. Arsenal have been tailing Thomas Lemar persistently, despite Monaco’s insistence that they want to keep the player at the club. And, Monaco are now set to table a £45 million bid for Alexis Sanchez in retaliation.
PSG have just rocked the world by landing Neymar in a world record €222 million deal – a move many people infer is a direct retaliation after several hands-off warnings to Barcelona in their pursuit of Marco Verratti. AS Monaco now seem to be looking at the opportunity to take a page of out of their domestic rivals’ playbook.
French champions Monaco are preparing a £45m bid for Arsenal want-away striker Alexis Sanchez. (Source: The Sun) pic.twitter.com/YwpZs0QBe6
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 4, 2017
Thomas Lemar has become one of the most sought-after wingers in Europe after a remarkable season at AS Monaco, which saw him lift the league title along with a contribution of 9 goals and 11 assists in 34 league appearances alone – the player added another 5 goals and 6 assists in other competitions.
The 21-year-old has become a full-fledged French international and has been linked with a move away from the club all summer. Arsenal need reinforcements out wide, especially with contract rebel Alexis Sanchez all but set to bid adieu to Emirates.
While Arsene Wenger has insisted the player will not be sold to Manchester City or Chelsea, he has remained silent on the Chilean being sold to a club outside the Premier League. And in the wake of such comments, the Gunners have intensified their pursuit for a wide attacker, with Riyad Mahrez and Thomas Lemar the two priority options.
Arsenal have already had three bids rejected for Lemar, who Monaco insist on keeping along with Fabinho, deeming both to be key components of Leonardo Jardim’s squad.
Thomas Lemar – The French Wizard pic.twitter.com/QOohwMhdqu
— H (@Lemaresque_) July 29, 2017
But, there is set to be a huge twist in the tale, with AS Monaco about to table a £45 million bid for Alexis Sanchez – a move that could well work in Arsenal’s favour as well. Monaco can provide the Chilean with Champions League football as well along with a handsome pay package, thanks to the incredible inflow through player sales.
For Arsenal, they could use this bid as a negotiating barometer to orchestrate a swap that involves Thomas Lemar and Alexis Sanchez, which could be the best outcome for both parties. Monaco will be able to get what will be an upgrade on Lemar without spending much money and Arsenal will be able to avoid selling Sanchez to a direct rival.
Wenger’s former ties with Monaco could also stand them in good stead and this could be a deal that we could very well see being done by the end of the summer transfer window.
