Thomas Lemar to Arsenal: What we know so far

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have to sanction another big transfer outlay if he is to convince Monaco to part with Thomas Lemar this summer.

With £52million statement signing Alexandre Lacazette through the door, the Gunners hope to lure another attacker from Ligue 1.

Manchester City and Real Madrid reportedly lead the race for Monaco's teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, and Wenger appears ready to admit defeat in that race with Lemar his main target - but Monaco are holding firm.

Here's everything we know so far courtesy of James Olley...

Arsenal transfer targets for summer 2017

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Is the deal close?

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Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev insisted on Wednesday that the French champions intend to keep Arsenal targets Lemar and Mbappe at the club.

Regarding Lemar, Vaislyev said: "He stays with us, we talked together, he has a tremendous talent, he is also a must for our team.

"We have kept all of the key players that we intended to keep."

Monaco were understood to value Lemar at £30million in June, and the Gunners tested the Ligue 1 champions' resolve with a bid slightly under only to be quoted double.

Monaco's stance on Lemar valuation is likely to have hardened after a number of key departures - Manchester City signed both £42m Bernardo Silva and £52m Benjamin Mendy, with Tiemoue Bakayoko joining Chelsea for £40m.

If either Man City or Madrid do land Mbappe - with world-record fees of over £140m being reported - Monaco would have even less inclination to sell another key member of their title-winning team.

Arsenal are still evens to sign Lemar with Betfair, but would likely need to bid in excess of £45m to convince Monaco to even consider a deal, especially as the transfer window begins to draw to a close.

Tottenham were understood to be keen, but that interest has since cooled.

What is Arsenal's budget?

Standard Sport reported in June that Wenger has been handed £100m to bolster his squad.

The manager has recommitted for another two years and confirmed soon after that he was targeting "a maximum of three" new players this summer.

Even following the club-record arrival of Lacazette from Lyon, and Sead Kolasinac through the door on a free transfer following the expiry of this Schalke contract, Arsenal have the money in the bank for another big arrival.

How much does Wenger want him?

Lemar has been Wenger's main focus since wrapping up the deal for Lacazette, but will not be held to ransom by Monaco - a difficult position given Monaco have no need for the cash.

A quote of £60m is a step too far for Wenger, who has been willing to spend big in recent windows but breaking Arsenal's transfer record twice in the same summer is unlikely.

Focus will be switched to Leicester City's wantaway winger Riyad Mahrez should a pursuit of Lemar prove fruitless, while Lucas Perez is almost certain to leave after his No.9 shirt was given to Lacazette.

Is he good enough?

Robert Pires, no stranger to running down the wing in France and England, is a big fan, telling Sky Sports: "I love him as a player.

"For me, Thomas Lemar is one of the best French players there is. He can play on the left, he can play on the right, he can score goals and he can make assists.

"Lemar is the kind of player who can make a difference. He has the right profile to play for Arsenal, definitely. I hope for him and for Arsenal that it happens."

Pires' praise is well-earned, with Lemar notching 14 goals and 14 assists from the Ligue 1 champions last season.

He also no doubt endeared himself to Arsenal fans after scoring decisive goals in both of Monaco's wins over Tottenham in last season's Champions League.

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