'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
Manchester United and Arsenal are set to battle for Thomas Lemar in January according to Sunday Mirror. The AS Monaco star was on the radar for the two clubs as well as Liverpool during the summer transfer window but nobody finalized a move.
Jose Mourinho is determined to sign a left-winger when the window reopens as he is not still confident about Marcos Rashford and Anthony Martial playing in that position. Arsene Wenger hopes to sign Lemar as a way of convincing Alexis Sanchez to stay and not has his replacement.
In case you didn’t know...
Arsenal had made a stunning £92 million bid on deadline day for Thomas Lemar. AS Monaco, who were reluctant to sell him until then, surprised all by accepting the bid from the Gunners.
However, Arsenal pulled-out of the deal as they believed that they wouldn't be able to complete the deal in time. The other reason why they changed their minds at the end is that it would have reportedly enabled Alexis Sanchez to join Manchester City.
The heart of the matter
Wenger opted to keep Sanchez over signing Lemar but his interest in the Frenchman is still intact. He was all clear to sign on 31st August but will now face competition from his arch-rival, Jose Mourinho.
Manchester United were keen on signing Ivan Perisic in the summer but Inter Milan was not interested in selling him. The Croatian has now signed a new contract at San Siro and a move looks unlikely.
Mourinho has turned his attention to Lemar. The AS Monaco star has National teammate Paul Pogba – the self-proclaimed Agent P – playing for Manchester United and that could give the Red Devils the edge over the Gunners.
What’s next?
Manchester United and Arsenal will have to wait until January to make an official move for him. The window is shut now and any negotiation now would be of no use when it's December.
As for Lemar, he would be a starter for both the teams as they need a player like him on the left-wing. While at United he might face competition from Anthony Martial and Marcos Rashford, at Arsenal it's going to be Alexis Sanchez for 6 months and then absolutely no one!
Author’s Take
AS Monaco must be wondering what they did wrong. One good season and half that team is gone. Lemar might actually opt to join one of the clubs in January.
