The main target that Arsenal are reportedly serious about signing this summer is Monaco winger, Thomas Lemar, so what’s going on?

Believe it or not, there was a time when Arsenal weren’t linked with Thomas Lemar.

It seems as if we’ve been in talks with the Ligue 1 side over signing the France international for years, so what’s going on?

The 21-year-old has been linked with the Gunners for a couple of months, with the rumours beginning to circulate that little bit faster when Arsene Wenger allegedly dropped his interest in Riyad Mahrez in July. Reports claimed that Leicester were demanding as much as £50m for a 26-year-old who’d just had a less than mediocre season, which presumably didn’t fly with Le Professeur.

Arsenal are since said to have had two bids for Lemar rejected, one of £30m and another of £40m.

Arsenal were also reported to have made a third of £45m recently. However, if it happened, nothing obviously became of it.

Personal terms were said to be agreed; the Gunners reportedly offered Lemar a five-year deal, which will see him earn £100k-per-week.

His father is said to the main person telling him to stay put in order for him to continue getting regular first team football ahead of the World Cup next year.

Monaco are now allegedly demanding £50m, which is £10m less than some outlets were claiming they wanted. However, as Sky Sports are keen to keep reminding us, talks are ongoing.

Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko have all gone to Manchester City and Chelsea, and Kylian Mbappe could still be off to Real Madrid, which could be why Monaco are apparently holding out for £50m.

The most recent twist to the saga is that Barcelona, having just lost Neymar to PSG for £198m, have a space to fill and money to burn. Therefore, they allegedly want Lemar, who would, apparently, force through a move to La Liga if the opportunity arose.

All the while, however, Arsenal are still in talks with Monaco.

The boss himself has also confirmed talks.