Monaco have rejected a bid of more than £30million from Arsenal for Thomas Lemar, reports the Telegraph.
The Gunners were hoping to bring in both the winger and his team-mate Kylian Mbappe, but the principality club are holding their ground.
It’s claimed there have been more positive talks with Lyon on striker Alexandre Lacazette – though they have already rejected one of Arsenal’s bids.
And Arsenal fans should not fret over Lemar too much, it appears, as Arsene Wenger has identified an alternative target.
According to the same source, the club are now considering formalising their interest in Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez, even if he struggled to replicate his form from the Foxes’ title-winning season last term.
The Algerian has informed Leicester of his decision to leave and the Emirates seems a likely destination given that Arsenal are long-term admirers.
The playmaker is at least proven in English football, which Lemar is not. Judging by last season’s performances, however, it’s no wonder Arsenal have chosen to pursue Lemar first.
The 21-year-old scored 14 goals and bagged 14 assists in all competitions as Monaco pulled off a surprise title win. Mahrez, meanwhile, scored 12 and assisted five, but a lot of his best form was postponed until the sacking of Claudio Ranieri.
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