Manchester United received a huge boost in the hopes of signing AS Monaco star Thomas Lemar. Reports from France claim that the winger would prefer a move to Old Trafford in the Premier League than going to North London.
Noted Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles tweeted that the player would rather join United than Arsenal, giving fresh hope to both the clubs. Monaco have been trying hard to dispel various clubs circling the principality for their stars.
Thomas Lemar would rather join Manchester United than Arsenal. #MUFC #AFC #ASMFC #FRAhttps://t.co/aqEzBKdNRn?https://t.co/tYXoRM7dm5
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) August 24, 2017
They already have lost a galaxy of stars including Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva to Manchester City and Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea. There are increased concerns at the club over the future of Kylian Mbappe and Fabinho with both players attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
Monaco would rather keep both the players at the club but know that they are fighting a dead cause. Same is the case with the pursuit of their winger Lemar who was initially linked with Arsenal but United too were interested in the £45 million-rated player.
The Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger has already accepted defeat and has said that Monaco doesn’t want to sell after losing three of their stars to Premier League.
He said (Daily Mail): “It’s dead because Monaco don’t want to sell.
“Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho… they have lost already Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko.
“So Monaco is at a stage where they have closed the door.”
That means, one competitor less for the signature of the 21-year-old although it is unclear yet if Jose Mourinho will make a move for the winger. The Portuguese manager has been tracking Ivan Perisic all thru the summer for the winger position.
There are complications in that deal with the Croatian winger no closer to Old Trafford than at any point in the entire summer. Inter Milan do not look interested in dealing with United as both clubs differ in their valuations leaving Mourinho frustrated.
There is considerable optimism within Old Trafford chiefs that the deal would eventually take place but with this new development over Lemar, there could be interesting consequences.
Lemar was a key figure in Monaco’s youthful side last year scoring 14 goals and providing 17 assists all season. Having already seen most of his teammates leave for greener pastures, he wouldn’t mind a switch to Old Trafford.
But, is Mourinho listening? I highly doubt because Jose has his mind set only on Perisic. Lemar can wait for next summer unless Mourinho wants to take this chance to irk Wenger!
