Liverpool continue to monitor Frenchman Thomas Lemar’s situation at Monaco after he rejected a new contract offer from the Ligue 1 side. It is understood that Anfield is Lemar’s preferred destination, despite heavy interest from Arsenal earlier in August. According to the Independent, Liverpool are still chasing Lemar, for who a £78m bid was rejected in 2017.
In August last year, Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for the 22-year-old and he was being eyed by Arsene Wenger who was looking to replace an unsettled Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean was supposed to move to Manchester City but since Lemar rejected a move to the Emirates, Alexis continued to represent Arsenal until January, after which he eventually joined Mourinho’s Manchester United.
It is claimed that Lemar’s decision to reject the Gunners is down to his interest in joining Klopp’s Liverpool. Now that he’s rejected Monaco’s offer of a new deal, Liverpool have stepped up their interest in the midfielder.
AS Monaco’s young brigade surprisingly won the Ligue 1 title last season and Thomas Lemar, along with Kylian Mbappe and many others, was in the thick of the things. He contributed 14 goals and 17 assists in 55 games last season and was in remarkable form. However, this season, he has so far scored 3 goals and provided 5 assists in all competitions.
This drastic drop in form is something to worry about and in my opinion, I don’t think Lemar is worth £78m or even £92m (Arsenal’s summer bid for the player). The market is inflated these days and I think we’d be better off trying to sign someone else other than the 22-year-old Frenchman. Although his dip in form is not permanent, I don’t think he’s worth such big money yet.
Liverpool’s interest in Thomas is a welcome sign but if we can sign the player for a lesser sum, then I’d call this deal a success. His form this season should drive his price down in the summer and if he doesn’t make it to the France squad for World Cup, then we have every chance of closing this deal down for a lesser sum.
Now let’s just wait and see how the contract negotiations between Monaco and Lemar move forward.
