Transfer story
AS Monaco’s wondrous season is causing them a lot of damage this summer as one by one, all of their players who helped them win the Ligue 1 title are leaving for bigger clubs. First, it was Bernardo Silva. The likes of Benjamin Mendy, Tiemoue Bakayako and Kylian Mbappe are also close to agreeing to deals abroad. Enter Thomas Lemar. The 21-year-old winger is being linked with a move to the Premier League since the past week with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur interested in him.
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Jurgen Klopp’s side are the latest side to be interested in the winger after Spurs cooled their wish because of the player’s valuation. Monaco are willing to sell Lemar at £35 million and it remains to be seen whether Klopp decides to sign another winger this summer. Liverpool have already signed Mohammad Salah this month and a rumour for another winger might be emerging because of added games that the Reds will face in Europe.
Player stats
Lemar has spent two seasons with Monaco after he arrived in a £5.5 million deal from Caen in 2015. He has had a breakthrough season with the Gallic outfit as he made 51 appearances for them in the 2016/17 campaign. Lemar scored 14 goals in all competitions and assisted a further 14 for his teammates. His pace and shooting abilities were at the forefront this season with the youngster attempting 1.6 shots and producing 2.1 key passes every 90 minutes.
What he’ll offer the club?
Lemar has a stunning left foot which is capable of hitting long range shots as well as displaying creativity in finding a teammate. His close control and passing range made him a wide playmaker for Monaco while he did not show any profligacy in front of goal. He averaged a goal every 135 minutes for Monaco which is a brilliant return for a winger. He also has a tremendous work rate and is a delight for any manager keen on applying the counter pressing technique. This may be another reason why Lemar is being linked with a move to Anfield.
Worth the money?
Lemar at £35 million is not that big a risk considering the inflated market and is actually quite reasonable. But do they really need another attacker in their ranks at the moment? The focus should be on sorting out the midfield and the defensive issues which is what the club is intending to do. These rumours do not appear to have an ounce of truth in them and can be said as a trick by the French club’s PR people to fasten the bidding process from Arsenal.