Wenger is the Mon and only for Lemar
THOMAS LEMAR is heading for a bust-up with Monaco if he is denied his dream move to link up with Arsene Wenger.
The Monaco winger’s ambition is to play for the Arsenal manager, who is still regarded as football royalty in France.
But the Monte Carlo club are threatening to block a £45million move because they fear they are losing too many players.
Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists have sold midfielder Bernardo Silva, 22, to Manchester City for £43.5m and also look like losing left-back Benjamin Mendy, 23 tomorrow, to Pep Guardiola’s club.
In addition, midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, 22, has now completed his £40m move to Chelsea.
And in striker Kylian Mbappe, 18, they have the most-wanted young player in the world and another Wenger target.
So Monaco now want to keep Lemar, 21, which would leave the France international hugely frustrated.
Tottenham also wanted Lemar (below) but dropped out of the race when the fee went up – and they knew that the starlet’s preference was to play for Wenger.
The Arsenal boss has an alternative target in Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez, 26.
But Wenger is still hoping a deal can be struck for Lemar.
Speaking yesterday about Arsenal’s summer transfer activity, Wenger said: “It is an advantage to get them in early because you go into the new season and you have an idea of what the players are about, and how well they can integrate in the team.
“I think it is a huge advantage.
“Unfortunately we are not the only ones to decide the pace of the transfer market.
“If you look around, not a lot has happened since the opening of the transfer window.
“But certainly a lot will happen in the final part, especially in the last two weeks and even more in the last week.”