Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of Thomas Lemar as AS Monaco appear interested in selling the winger
According to a report by The Sun, AS Monaco will listen to offers for Thomas Lemar this summer, meaning the two-way tussle between Manchester United and Arsenal is likely to intensify.
The French champions have already sold Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy to Manchester City, as well as Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea, hence, fueling reports that they will sell no more players now. However, interest in Lemar from clubs like Arsenal, PSG and Manchester United is failing to die down.
Thomas Lemar joined Monaco in a £3.4m deal two years ago, and has enjoyed a stellar rise to prominence under Leonardo Jardim. The 21-year-old played pivotal roles in Monaco’s emphatic Ligue 1 victory as well as their semifinal run in the Champions League last season.
In 28 Ligue 1 appearances last season, Lemar contributed to nine goals and 10 assists. He shone for Monaco even in the Champions League, with two goals and four assists in nine games. For a youngster like him, such numbers speak volumes about the amount of potential he possesses.
At Arsenal, Theo Walcott’s inconsistent performances coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the future of Alexis Sanchez has prompted Arsene Wenger to delve into the transfer market for an attacking player, and Lemar is a viable target.
French stars like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have touched massive heights under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal – records that are likely to entice Lemar. The Gunners will not be able to provide Champions League football though, so that could potentially be a deal breaker.
As far as Manchester United are concerned, Jose Mourinho has been targeting Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic for months now, having publicly stated that he is interested in adding a wide attacker to his squad.
Having faced failure in the Croat’s pursuit though, Lemar can prove to be an ideal alternative for United. At 21, he is a long-term solution as compared to Perisic, and potentially has a higher ceiling as well.
With Arsenal and United both keen on landing the player, it will come as a welcome boost that Monaco are now considering offers for Lemar, who was considered off-limits for several weeks. The Gunners have been targeting him for a long time, and will be looking to make a move to keep themselves ahead of the Red Devils.
