Lemar’s only Gunner move for £55m

MONACO have ramped up the pressure on Arsenal by demanding £55million for winger Thomas Lemar. The Daily Star Sunday revealed last week that Monaco were threatening to deny Lemar (left) his dream move because so many key players were leaving the club. We now understand the French giants will sell – but only if Arsenal meet their new valuation. Otherwise, Lemar, 21, will be made to stay. That would be a major blow to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who has made the France international one of his top targets. Wenger originally thought he could land Lemar for £25m. Monaco have reportedly agreed a £52m deal to sell left-back Benjamin Mendy, 23, to Manchester City and want at least that much for Lemar. Arsenal were prepared to go up to £45m but may now have to pay well over £50m. PAUL HETHERINGTON CHELSEA remain interested in landing Swansea striker Fernando Llorente.

The Spanish international, 32, was the subject of two offers from the Blues in January but Swansea refused to sell at that time because they were involved in a relegation battle.

But while boss Antonio Conte is currently spending huge sums in the transfer market, including a club-record £70million on Real Madrid hitman Alvaro Morata, he still wants to add quality cover in attack.

Llorente, who played under Conte at Juventus, fits that bill perfectly although Chelsea are not prepared to meet his current £30m price tag.

They want to pay around £15m for the ex-Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao forward who finished as the Swans’ top scorer last season with 15 goals in 33 league games.