Report: Monaco rejects Arsenal's £31M bid for Lemar
Arsenal will have to return with an improved offer for Thomas Lemar after AS Monaco rejected a bid worth £31 million for the French winger, according to David Hynter of the Guardian.
News of Monaco's dismissal came shortly after a report suggested Arsenal had launched bids worth £85 million for Lemar, as well as Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette.
Related - Report: Arsenal set to launch bids worth £85M for Lemar, Lacazette
However, convincing Monaco to sell the 21-year-old - who is reportedly eager to work with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger - will be difficult considering that the Ligue 1 champion is strongly against selling him this summer.
Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev reportedly slammed the door shut on the offer, telling Arsenal that Lemar will not be sold and that the club's stance is "non-negotiable."
The French team's alleged refusal to sell Lemar likely stems from the interest generated this past season in the abundance of talent that led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title last season.
Bernardo Silva was the first to depart when he joined Manchester City in a move that reportedly cost £43.6 million. Benjamin Mendy looks as though he's set to join Silva at City, while Tiemoue Bakayoko reportedly edges closer to joining Chelsea.
Kylian Mbappe has attracted the most interest and could be set for a record-breaking transfer to either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
Lemar's breakout campaign saw him score nine goals and register 10 assists in 34 league appearances last term.
Perhaps the one positive note from Arsenal's perspective is that the club may attempt to reopen negotiations with Alexis Sanchez, as he enters the final 12 months of his contract. Lemar's arrival likely would have coincided with the Chilean's departure, with the Frenchman tipped to occupy the left flank where Sanchez is normally deployed.
But a report Wednesday indicated that Manchester City has stepped up its effort to lure Sanchez north after seemingly "growing in confidence" that a deal will be completed.