Monaco to sell Lemar to Madrid

FRENCH World Cup star Thomas Lemar looks set to quit Monaco and join Atletico Madrid, the two clubs said on Tuesday.

“Atletico de Madrid and AS Monaco have achieved a preliminary agreement over the transfer of Thomas Lemar to our club,” the Spanish club said of the 22-year old.

“Over the next days, both clubs will work to close the agreement.”

The slightly built Lemar looked set to join Arsenal a year ago but Monaco pulled out of the potential £92-million (R1.63-billion) deal after selling a string of other stars.

A source close to the deal said the transfer fee would be around ß75-million (R1.17-billion) with the contract running out in 2020.

He joined Monaco from French top-flight club Caen for ß4-million (R62.7-million) in 2015. – AFP