Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth insists that AS Monaco are expecting a much higher offer from Arsenal in order to cash in on the services of Thomas Lemar this summer.
Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev recently insisted that the club will not consider the exits of Fabinho and Lemar as they have already lost key players in the transfer window.
However, Sheth has a different perception on the statement with the Gunners maintaining a strong interest in the France international.
The north London club have failed with multiple bids for the 21-year-old with the latest being €50m as claimed by L’Equipe h/t Get French Football News.
Monaco have rebuffed a €50m bid from Arsenal for Thomas Lemar this week, according to L'Équipe.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 28, 2017
And Sheth believes that this may not be the end of Lemar story with the Gunners still in discussions over a proposed move for the former Caen man.
“Despite Monaco’s insistence that he stays at the club, we understand Arsenal maintain a keen interest in the player,” Sheth said on Sky Sports News h/t The Express.
“It’s thought talks between the clubs continue. Monaco’s not for sale stance has been seen in some quarters as a way to encourage Arsenal to make a higher offer. Perhaps we haven’t heard the last of Thomas Lemar in this window.”
Arsenal signed Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for a club-record £46m fee rising to £52.7m this month, and they may have to break this feat once more in order to clinch Lemar’s signature.
Should Monaco’s stance remain firm, Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez could be an option while the club are also keeping tabs on Nice’s Jean-Michel Seri, who is a central midfielder rather than a wide player.
Alexis Sanchez’s future has also been a topic of speculation in recent months, and The Sun claims that the Chilean could submit a transfer request altogether in order to force through a move.
Despite this, Lemar is not being seen as a potential replacement for Sanchez with Arsene Wenger previously insisting that a decision has been made to not sell the club’s star performer this summer.
