Liverpool are on the brink of agreeing to a deal to sign Thomas Lemar from AS Monaco this summer, according to reports.
The 22-year-old rose to prominence last season when his 14 goals and 17 assists helped Monaco win the Ligue 1 title.
The diminutive Frenchman’s rich vein of form soon attracted the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool during the summer transfer window but neither club could agree terms over a deal; so Lemar ended up staying at Monaco.
Both the Premier League heavyweights were once again linked with the player in January but Monaco made it very clear that they were against selling players, especially prized assets in the middle of the season.
“We do not typically sell players in the winter transfer window,” Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim said in January, as quoted by the Metro.
“But the month is long and many things could happen.”
But now it is understood that the Reds are close to an agreement in principle to sign in-demand Lemar, as per reports from Le 10 Sport. (h/t Metro)
It appears as if Jurgen Klopp has stolen a march on the Gunners and are finally ready to land the player at Anfield.
The report adds the Reds have been working on the deal in recent weeks and are putting the finishing touches on an agreement for the £88m-rated French international.
It is claimed that the Merseyside-outfit have ‘made some good moves’ in recent weeks and should wrap up the deal before the start of the 2018/19 season.
Lemar has only two years remaining on his current contract at the Stade Louis II and Monaco could lower down their asking price for the midfielder.
After his excellent displays last season, the 22-year-old has failed to replicate the form, scoring only three times and supplying eight assists for Monaco.
Despite a major dip in form this season, Liverpool remain keen on the attacker and view him as Philippe Coutinho’s replacement.
Lemar, one of Europe’s sought-after talents, is expected to thrive under Klopp should he make a move to Liverpool. Klopp’s high-octane style of play suits the Frenchman but given the player is just 22, he could find it a bit difficult to adjust to the demands of the Premier League.
