Chelsea’s signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko could prevent Arsenal from signing Thomas Lemar.

  • Monaco are reluctant to see both players leave in the same window
  • Bakayoko is expected to complete his move to Chelsea soon
  • Arsenal have had a bid rejected for Lemar

Just when you thought Arsenal were making some progress in the transfer window, they could be back to square one.

A bid was made and rejected for Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar, and while Arsenal are preparing an improved offer, Jason Burt of the Telegraph had this to say:

The news would be unwelcome to Arsenal, as Bakayoko is closer to Chelsea than Lemar is to Arsenal.

Monaco have already lost one star in Bernardo Silva, while speculation is rife about the futures of Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho, Benjamin Mendy, Lemar and Bakayoko.

That they don’t want to lose too many important players in the same window is understandable, albeit very frustrating for Arsenal fans.