Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal’s hopes of signing Monaco forward Thomas Lemar are “dead”, with the Ligue 1 side pricing the 21-year-old out of a move.
Move for Lemar: "It is dead, Monaco have closed the door definitely." #AFC
— Mark Mann-Bryans (@MarkyMBryans) August 24, 2017
Arsenal have been keen on the French international all summer, but have made little progress in even agreeing a price with Monaco. The Gunners had three bids rejected for Lemar – which I believe was around £30m, £40m and £50m.
Lemar was reportedly keen on joining Arsenal, after seeing international teammate and football friend Alexandre Lacazette make the switch to the Emirates Stadium. But with the Londoners unable to even match Monaco’s asking price, signing Lemar was going to be impossible.
The Ligue 1 side had lost a number of key players that helped them win the title last season and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. So Monaco were keen to hold on to the remaining talent after seeing the likes of Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiémoué Bakayoko leave for the Premier League.
As a result, Monaco weren’t going to budge from their lofty asking price for Lemar as they were keen to keep him, or at least be considerably compensated if they have to let him go. Arsenal weren’t keen to match their valuation so it’s looking likely he will no remain at the Stade Louis II this season.