Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is hopeful of
securing a deal for a player he believes can be the future of French football
Monaco’s
golden generation of young players could be ripped apart this summer if Europe’s
elite clubs get their own way.
With
Bernardo Silva having already departed for Manchester City, the latest hot
prospect courting serious interest from the Premier League is Thomas Lemar, who
is poised to join Arsenal.
The
21-year-old winger was plucked from Caen’s academy in 2013, another product of
the successful scouting approach which has been spearheaded by Monaco
vice-president Vadim Vasilev over the past few years.
Therefore,
Vasilev is likely to take a strong stance over Lemar's possible sale but the
Gunners are confident that they can snatch him away from Leonardo Jardim’s
side.
It
would be a crushing blow for Monaco, who also look set to sell midfielder
Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea in the coming days.
Fabinho
and Benjamin Mendy have also been linked with moves away, while star striker
Kylian Mbappe - who will make a decision on his own future when he returns from
holiday - is the subject of interest from almost every major club in
European football, including Real Madrid.
Arsenal’s
interest in Lemar has been sparked for a number of reasons. His astute
technical ability has caught the eye of various club scouts and 14 assists in
all competitions last season provides a clear demonstration of just how
successfully he links up with his team-mates.
However,
a willingness to improve is usually an indicator of how far a player can go at
the highest level and it is Lemar’s character which has drawn Wenger to the
player.
Philippe
Tranchant signed Lemar at Caen and depicts the youngster as a humble young man
with a strong work ethic.
"On
the field, he's become a monster. In life, on the other hand, not much has
changed. He's got a very reserved nature,” Tranchant told Le
Parisien.
Lemar has already spoken to Wenger personally and Arsenal’s
history of signing French players is likely to play a huge influence in his
final decision.
If
the Gunners can get the transfer over the line in the coming weeks, then they
will be getting a laid-back, quiet professional who is conscientious and, by all
accounts, easy to get along with. In short, the quintessential Wenger player.
He’s
a shining example of Monaco’s transfer policy of buying young players with bags
of potential then selling them on for huge profit, which is how Jardim and
Vasilev have shrewdly managed to keep Monaco competitive despite losing one
starlet after another.
Last
season, Lemar played almost exclusively down the left-hand side of midfield,
where his clever runs and improved finishing saw him end the campaign with nine
goals and 10 assists in Ligue 1 alone.
The biggest concern would be about his adaption at playing
abroad for the first time but Arsenal’s French contingent are likely to make
that process much easier.
Lemar
knows Gunners winger Jeff Reine-Adelaide from his time in the French youth
set-up, while Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud are more experienced heads
who would help him settle in to life in north London.
He
has also shown in his performances in Europe this season that he is not afraid
of the big stage, and there are few bigger than the globally watched Premier
League.
If
Arsenal can secure Lemar's signature, then they will have a huge prospect on
their hands. The advantages outweigh the risks in this transfer and it’s no
surprise to see Wenger in the market for a direct, quick winger who is able to
score and create goals in equal measure.
Those who questioned the
decision to give the French coach a new two-year contract may still believe a
fresh approach is needed in north London, but there can be no doubt that when
it comes to attracting some of France's most exciting young talent, Wenger
remains a massive draw.
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