Arsenal will reportedly offer Alexis Sanchez to Monaco in January as part of their move to Thomas Lemar.

Arsene Wenger is allegedly going to try and convince Alexis to sign for Monaco in January instead of holding out for a move to Manchester City next summer.

The Ligue 1 side were apparently interested in the Chilean in August but he was so set on reuniting with former Barcelona boss, Pep Guardiola, that Monaco didn’t pursue a move.

Arsenal reportedly had a bid of £92m accepted for Lemar at the end of the window, and Wenger has admitted that the Gunners will return for their man. Therefore, sending Alexis to France will not only reduce the price Arsenal pay for the 21-year-old but Alexis won’t sign for a rival later on.

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(FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

While it does make sense, previous reports claimed that the Gunners were going to return for Lemar, who is said to have agreed a deal in principal, regardless of Alexis’ situation.

The young international is reportedly set to sign a five-year deal, which will see him earn £250k-per-week.

Initial rumours claimed that Lemar had snubbed Arsenal, despite apparently wanting the move all summer, but Wenger insists this isn’t true and it now appears that there was genuine trouble trying to get the deal over the line before the window shut since the winger was set to appear for France.

It does seem as if the Gunners will return for Lemar but whether that’s in January or not and whether Alexis has anything involvement in the deal remains to be seen.