Arsenal increase offer to £40m for Tottenham target Thomas Lemar of Monaco - reports

The 21-year-old remains one of Arsenal’s main summer targets, alongside team-mate Kylian Mbappe, who is attracting interest from a host of Europe’s elite clubs.

And following Arsenal’s record purchase of Alexandre Lacazette earlier in the week, it appears Arsene Wenger is prepared to keep on spending as the club prepare for a tilt at the Premier League title.

French publication L’Equipe report Arsenal have upped their bid for Lemar to £40m, having seen an offer in the region of £30m already rejected.

Lemar made his France debut in November last year, while his 14 goals for Monaco helped the club win the Ligue 1 title.

Spurs have also been linked with a move for the winger, who moved to Monaco from Caen for just £3.4m in 2015.

This is a player worth chasing. Lemar has risen up the ranks at a remarkable rate, and announced himself to Arsenal fans in perfect style last season when scoring the decisive in both of Monaco’s Champions League group games against Tottenham.

His versatility would make him an asset to Arsenal’s attack, and it would perhaps soften the blow if Alexis Sanchez does move on. That being said, the two would be perfect behind Lacazette, and it would require Mesut Ozil to step up his game should Lemar head to the Emirates this summer.

Wenger will hope that brining Lemar over will help lure Mbappe to Arsenal too, but that becomes a far-fetched thought when you realise that the acquisition of both Monaco players would see their spending tip over the £200m mark.