Club Vice President Speaks Out Amid Reports Of £45m Arsenal Bid

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, the latest on Arsenal’s pursuit of Thomas Lemar…

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev insists Thomas Lemar won’t be leaving the club this summer amid reports Arsenal are ready to table a fresh £45m offer, according to the Express.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Lemar in recent weeks after Arsene Wenger made the youngster one of his key summer transfer targets.

The boss is looking to build a squad capable of challenging for the title this season after missing out on the top four and a new attacker appears to be on the agenda after signing defender Sead Kolasinac and striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Monaco have proven difficult to deal with for Lemar as they are desperately trying to keep the remains of their title-winning squad together after seeing the likes of Bernado Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Benjamin Mendy already leave.

It looks like Wenger isn’t ready to give up just yet as the Express say Arsenal are set to test the Ligue 1 champions resolve with an improved £45m bid after seeing two previous offers rejected.

However, Monaco vice-president Vasilyev insists Lemar won’t be allowed to leave this summer. He’s quoted as saying by the Express today:

“We have kept all of the key players that we intended to keep. I will address speculation relating to the case of (Thomas) Lemar.

“He is staying with us. He is an immense talent and is essential for the team.”

It’s difficult to know how much we should look in to these comments as some believe Vasilyev is just posturing to try and squeeze more money out of Arsenal while others feel this is proof Lemar won’t be going anywhere this summer.

The fact is, every player has a price so I still think we can sign the 21-year-old but it’s clear Monaco aren’t going to let him go without a fight so we’ll have to dig deep if we want to get our man.

However, Lemar would be a superb signing as he’s developed in to one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe after scoring 14 goals and providing 17 assists to help fire Monaco to the title last season.

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The French international is predominantly played out on the wing but he’s also capable of playing in an central attacking midfield role so he’d give Wenger plenty of options if he does end up coming to the Emirates.