Lemar snub points Arsenal to Mahrez

Arsenal have had a bid in excess of £30 million turned down for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, and are now considering whether to formalise their interest in Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez.

Arsène Wenger’s priorities have been the French trio of Kylian Mbappé, Alexandre Lacazette and Lemar, with Arsenal hoping to sign two new forwards ahead the likely departure of Alexis Sánchez.

Talks have been progressing with Lyon over Lacazette – although at least one bid has been rejected – but Monaco have offered little encouragement about Mbappé and Lemar, with Arsenal now having taken fresh soundings on Mahrez’s availability.

Although Arsenal still have a distant hope of Sánchez agreeing a new contract, and would prefer that he moves abroad should their contract stalemate continue, Manchester City are in an increasingly strong position to sign the striker.

This is partly because Arsenal have other players in the final year of their contracts, and so would be taking a big gamble by allowing Sánchez potentially to leave for nothing next year. Bayern Munich would also be reluctant to pay the Chile forward what City might be prepared to offer.

Arsenal were ready to spend more than £30 million on Lemar and with Mahrez, 26, likely to command a similar fee, there is potentially far more longer-term value in pursuing the 21-year-old.

Lemar scored 14 goals and had 17 assists in helping Monaco reach the Champions League semi-finals and win the French league last season, while Mahrez suffered a dip in form. Monaco’s stance over Lemar will also be affected by negotiations over star striker Mbappé, who Arsenal would like to sign, but who is more likely to join Real Madrid or stay in France.