Arsenal have reportedly shelved their interest in Monaco’s Thomas Lemar until they can trim the playing squad, according to latest reports.

So say Sky Sports, who revealed the Gunners have 33 players in the senior squad. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has spoken out about a desire to sell a number of players ahead of the new season as a result of the bloated side.

If the Gunners can lose the deadwood from the first-team, they may be in a position to shop for an addition. Thomas Lemar has been on their radar all summer and is believed to be the only remaining target Arsenal have lined up. However, there are a number of obstacles stopping them from signing him.

Monaco are desperate to keep the 21-year-old at the Stade Louis II, with vice-president Vadim Vasilyev having previous said Lemar “is staying with us”. Manager Leonardo Jardim echoes his comment, saying: “It is important to keep all of our players who were important last season at the club.”

But with the Ligue 1 champions having let the likes of Benjamin Mendy, Tiémoué Bakayoko and Bernardo Silva leave this summer, Arsenal may still stand a chance at signing Lemar if they match Monaco’s lofty asking price – £55m has been quoted by a number of outlets.

Arsenal won’t entertain the idea of bringing the French international to the Emirates Stadium, however, until they part company with a number of subsidiary players – believed to be Carl Jenkinson, Mathieu Debuchy, Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Gabriel, Mohamed Elneny, Jack Wilshere and Lucas Perez, in my opinion.