Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev admits Thomas Lemar very nearly left the Ligue 1 giants in the summer - but the teams interested left it too late trying to sign him.

Arsenal tabled a huge Deadline Day bid for the France international, as Alexis Sanchez prepared to leave north London for Manchester City.

But both deals fell through, much to the disappointment of the Chilean.

Liverpool also made a bid for Lemar but eventually settled for ex-Gunners midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, after Monaco held firm on their price.

Vadim Vasilyev (left) says both clubs left it too late trying to sign the Monaco man (
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)

Speaking to Sky Sport, Monaco chief Vasilyev admitted that Arsenal came closest to signing the Frenchman out of the two Premier League clubs.

But explained that because they both left trying to complete their business so late, they ultimately missed out on the opportunity.

Lemar was the subject of huge bids from both Liverpool and Arsenal (
Image:
Icon Sport)

"Liverpool were really interested," said Vasilyev. "But it was Arsenal that was really close to finalising the deal. It was quite close.

"At the same time it was just too late, not enough time, to really follow up on this deal. Not all the elements of the puzzle fell in place.

Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger were both keen on signing the Frenchman (
Image:
Liverpool FC via Getty)

"I'm very happy he stayed with us. For us, we need a player like Thomas Lemar. He's very important to our team.

"[But] definitely next summer will be something to look at, although you know in football there are no guarantees. We had some players who were supposed to leave this summer but didn't because of X, Y, Z.

Lemar could be on the move at the end of the season (
Image:
AFP)

"I think it would be fair to say Thomas will have a fair chance to exit next year. January, in football, never say never, but this is not what we’re thinking of, this is really not in our plans.

"January doesn't seem like the right time for major changes in the team."

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