With Chelsea signing Tiemoue Bakayoko, Arsenal might struggle to sign Thomas Lemar, forcing them to return for Riyad Mahrez.

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal were told by Monaco that only one more player would be sold this summer, after the Ligue 1 champions lost Bernardo Silva, and Chelsea may be the last team to poach from the squad this campaign.

Manchester City are still targeting Benjamin Mendy but might meet some resistance as Arsenal have. The Gunners have had bids of around £30m and £40m rejected for Lemar, but Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez could be available for less.

The Algerian handed in a transfer request to force a move to Arsenal, having been close to sealing the deal last summer, but Roma have shown the most interest and could beat the Gunners to his signature.

Roma are targeting a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who joined Liverpool this summer. Arsenal consider Lemar a more attracting signing than the Leicester City man but may have to turn their attentions back on the 26-year-old if Monaco refused any more sales.