Arsenal Transfer News: Thomas Lemar rejects Gunners

The London club made a dramatic late bid for the French winger with a £75m offer plus £17m in add-ons.

According, to Standard Sport, Monaco were ready to accept the money but Lemar turned down the chance to work under Arsene Wenger because he wants to continue playing in the Champions League.

Lemar was keen on a move to Liverpool, but they have yet to come close to Monaco’s valuation for the 21-year-old.

For Arsenal, though, it is a huge blow to their transfer plans, who are yet to accept or reject a £60m bid for Alexis Sanchez.

A sale would only be sanctioned to their Premier League rivals if a replacement could be found.

Initially, they sought out a swap deal for Raheem Sterling but have since looked at other options after Man City dismissed this outright.

A move for Julian Draxler was also considered but it now appears too late in the day to start a fresh bid.

Liverpool, on the other hand, were in pole position to land Lemar but any move appears unlikely after he was named in the France starting XI against Holland.

The Reds have made a flurry of late bids, including the signing of Naby Keita, fuelling rumours they have accepted a bid for Philippe Coutinho.

Barcelona have been courting Coutinho since Neymar’s departure, but have been consistently rebuffed by Liverpool, who stated the Brazilian was not for sale.