Arsenal FC are desperate to secure the services of AS Monaco star Thomas Lemar, especially with the imminent departure of star player Alexis Sanchez this winter window. Mesut Ozil would also likely extend his deal if a top player like Lemar joins and Arsenal show ambition. Ozil could also walk for free this summer – a move that would surely wreck the club.

Arsenal almost got Lemar in the summer window after the French Ligue 1 side accepted the Premier League side’s unprecedented £90 million offer. However, the player refused a move to the Emirates when the offer came in on deadline day.

Liverpool are really interested in landing Lemar now especially with Philippe Coutinho leaving the club. With the £142 million they received from the Nou Camp, they can finance a move for Lemar that could cost at least £90 million. The Reds recently signed Virgil van Dijk for £75 million from Southampton so they are in no mood to be careful with cash if Lemar agrees to the move.

For now Liverpool seem like a better option than Arsenal so they might be able to convince Lemar to leave Monaco for the Merseyside. Monaco are out of the Champions League and it is likely that they relinquish the Ligue 1 to Paris St Germain. They would be willing to cash in on the Lemar deal but they might prefer to wait until the summer. For now the deal rests on the 22-year old forward. Coach Leonardo Jardim and the board will not stand in his way, even though they do not like winter window deals.

Monaco would ask for big bucks for Anfield especially as they know Liverpool have the money from the Coutinho deal. On the other hand, Liverpool would not want to be held to ransom but they badly need the player to strengthen their squad.