Arsene Wenger will go back with a third bid for Thomas Lemar – and is convinced the France winger wants to join Arsenal.
Wenger has already seen bids of £30million and the latest £40m offer turned down by Monaco but Arsenal are refusing to give up as they believe they can get their man.
It could see another mega deal for Arsenal who are willing to pay £45m-plus to try to get Lemar which would be the second time they have beaten their old transfer record this window.
Arsenal negotiated a £52m deal for Alexandre Lacazette which beat the £42.5m paid for Mesut Ozil in 2013 and they are ready to go big again this week.
Lemar has always been their top priority in the wide areas and Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez would only ever be seen as a back-up with Wenger not completely convinced on him, particularly after his inconsistent season just gone.
Lemar’s representatives have held talks with Monaco and Arsenal in trying to get the deal done with the biggest obstacle being the French club do not want to sell all of their best players.
They have already off-loaded Bernardo Silva to Manchester City and Tiemoue Bakayoko is on the verge of a move to Chelsea while Kylian Mbappe and Benjamin Mendy could also go this summer.
Monaco’s reasoning for the sky high fee is he played a part in their highly successful Champions League campaign, is a full France international and it is comparable with similar deals.
Arsenal know that signing Lacazette and Lemar could soften the blow of losing Alexis Sanchez who is wanted by Manchester City and that could develop into a transfer saga as the window draws on.
Wenger has insisted publicly Arsenal will not sell to a Premier League rival but if they fear he will not sign a new deal then they do not want him to leave for free next summer.
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