It’s been a frustrating summer so far for Arsenal.The Gunners have experienced a mixed pre-season, defeating Bayern Munich, albeit via the lottery of a penalty shootout, yet suffering a comprehensive 3-0 loss at the hands of Chelsea.Then, of course, there’s the transfer window. Arsene Wenger can cite some success, namely the £46.5 million capture of Alexandre Lacazette as means of bolstering the club’s attack.
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Beyond that and Arsenal have struggled with their AS Monaco shortcomings typifying their frustrations. The club launched an ambitious early raid for Kylian Mbappe but even borderline world record bids reaped no success.
And when you consider, according to Marca, it has taken a bid in the shape of €180 million for Real Madrid to agree a deal, Arsenal’s campaign looks laughably half-hearted.
Nevertheless, the Gunners have since directed their attention to French winger Thomas Lemar. The 21-year-old was a key protagonist in Monaco’s romp to the Ligue 1 title - chipping in with 14 goals from out wide.
With 10 assists last season too, only Marseille’s Morgan Sanson amassed more in the league in 2016-17. It should come as no surprise then that the 21-year-old has accumulated five caps for France for his efforts.
So it’s not difficult to see why Arsenal are interested but equally clear as to why Monaco are proving so stubborn on the matter. Wenger’s men had bids of €40m and €45m rejected by the French champions earlier in the summer.
That hasn’t deterred the north London side, though.
In fact, according to L’Equipe, Arsenal have launched a third bid for Lemar and this time the fee stands at €50 million. However, Monaco are refusing to budge and have sent the Gunners packing yet again.
It’s not all a doomed mission, however, as this latest approach has said to have “moved some lines” with Monaco owner Vadim Vasilyev. Lemar is also believed to be coming round to the idea of an exit with his teammates fleeing around him.
Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Benjamin Mendy have all departed with Lemar also deeming an Mbappe exit to be “inevitable.” As a result, the 21-year-old has growing concerns as to just how competitive Monaco will prove next year.
The ball is firmly in Arsenal’s court; a fourth bid is expected to be tabled in the next week. For Wenger’s sake, he’ll be hoping that what will likely prove the club’s final attempt will finally bag him his man.
Yet if Lemar is unveiled in an Arsenal shirt, it would no doubt be bitter-sweet. It’s hard to ignore this transfer saga’s intimate relationship with the future of Alexis Sanchez.
Watch this space and that goes to Manchester City fans, too.
Do you think Thomas Lemar is the right man for Arsenal this summer? Let us know by leaving a comment below.