Arsenal have shelved their transfer interest in Monaco star Thomas Lemar, reports say.
The Gunners have been chasing Lemar for most of the summer with Arsene Wenger seeing the winger as his priority target.
Monaco have refused to do business and have seemingly slammed the exit door shut at the club after several of their first-team stars jumped ship.
Bernando Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko have all left for the Premier League and Monaco are determined to end the exodus.
Sky Sports claim Arsenal have ended ‘active’ talks with Monaco over the transfer of Lemar due to the size of their squad.
Arsenal have 33 players in their ranks at present and will look to offload several senior members before returning to discussion to bring in new names.
Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac are the only two additions this summer, but Arsene Wenger’s squad size is currently too big to handle any more signings.
Striker Lucas Perez is one of several senior players set to be ushered out the door.
Perez has been linked with a surprise switch to Newcastle as the Spaniard looks set to end his Arsenal career after just a year at the club.
Arsenal have not ended their interest in Lemar completely and may return to submit another bid if space can be made in the squad.
Wenger admitted after Arsenal’s Community Shield on Sunday that his squad was too big for the new season.
He said: ‘The number (in the squad) is too high. We will let some players go.
‘Too much competition for places is detrimental, but not enough competition for places is detrimental as well.’
COMMENTS