Patrick Rees
Manchester United are considering making a last-minute swoop for AS Monaco’s winger Thomas Lemar, who also happens to be a telling Arsenal target, reports the IBTimes.
Jose Mourinho has ‘almost’ added everything he wished for this summer, except a winger. Explaining his transfer strategy, the Portuguese, back in July, explained that he wants “another attacking player, especially [one] that can play through the wings to give me more attacking options.”
Having said that, a strong interest in Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic was credited and United did reportedly make a couple of bids for the Croatian, but to no effect. The I Nerazzurri are reluctant to lose their prized possession, hence, have slapped a whopping £48million tag on his head, which United are unwilling to meet.
Their manager Luciano Spalletti, furthermore, has insisted that the player now wants to stay in Italy.
“Perisic is determined to stay,” Spalletti told Sky Sports Italia. “There was a moment [when he considering leaving] but then he spoke like a footballer who is interested in doing the right thing for his professionalism and drew a conclusion.”
He also hinted that the club are working on giving Perisic a new and improved contract. Now, the Daily Record claims that Mourinho has added the 21-year-old Frenchman in his ‘wanted list’. Back in June, French outlet L’Equipe credited Manchester United as one of the top seven clubs interested in Lemar, but it was Wenger who showed a strong and concrete interest. The Gunners tried testing Monaco’s resolve by offering an initial £35million bid but were firmly rejected in their attempt. Soon a £40million offer followed, but to no effect, for the second time running.
Monaco, on their part, have already lost the likes of Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko, and do not really want to lose any of the other first team players. Lemar was exceptional in Monaco’s Ligue1 triumph last season and scored an impressive 14 goals while providing 17 assists.
Capable of plying his trade anywhere across the attacking line, Lemar will no doubt be a wonderful signing for United and will also fit in Mourinho’s quota of a player “that can play through the wings.”
