Arsenal 'to return with improved bid for Thomas Lemar'

Monaco's French midfielder Thomas Lemar (L) vies with Rennes' French defender Ludovic Baal (R) during the French L1 football match Monaco (ASM) vs Rennes (SRFC) on October 4, 2015 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco.
© Getty Images
Arsenal are reportedly willing to return with a third improved bid for AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar of £45m.

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a third bid for AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar having seen their previous two offers turned down by the French outfit.

The Gunners failed with an initial approach of £30m before seeing their second bid of £40m also rejected, but they have not been put off by that and are willing to increase their offer to £45m.

The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal are ready to break their previous transfer record for a second time this summer, having already brought in Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for £52.7m.

Monaco are unwilling to sell Lemar having already lost Bernardo Silva this summer, while there remains a high level of interest in the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

However, Arsenal are optimistic of prising the winger away from the Ligue 1 club in a deal which could rise to £50m, taking their July spending to over £100m.

The Gunners had initially budgeted £100m to sign Mbappe, but with other clubs ahead of them in the race for the youngster they have now moved on to other targets.

Monaco's French midfielder Thomas Lemar (L) vies with Rennes' French defender Ludovic Baal (R) during the French L1 football match Monaco (ASM) vs Rennes (SRFC) on October 4, 2015 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco.
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