Thomas Lemar is a ‘very good talent' says Julien Laurens
Arsenal are still some way off from signing Atletico Madrid star Thomas Lemar amid the ongoing January transfer window. Reports from Spain suggested that the Gunners are close to an agreement for Lemar but that doesn’t seem the case.
I’m not going to be discussing any transfer links publicly
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
According to RMC, however, any deal between the north Londoners and Atletico is "far from being ratified".
Arsenal are thought to be leading the race for the France international, who has been a top target ever since 2017 when he was playing for Monaco.
This comes after Lemar missed training with Atletico, but his absence had nothing to do with the ongoing transfer speculation as he is suffering from gastroenteritis.
The Frenchman joined Atletico in 2018 for £60million but has since struggled to stand out at the Wanda Metropolitano.
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The Spaniard remains coy over any potential transfer deals but isn’t expecting much out of the January transfer window.
Arteta said: “I’m not going to be discussing any transfer links publicly.
“It’s something we are trying to do internally and when we have news we will communicate with you guys.
“We are looking at different positions, obviously since I joined we lost Calum [Chambers] and we had other circumstances and injuries in that position so it’s true that at the back we have been short.
“There are other positions as well, depending on what happens in the market that we might need to assess.
“At the moment I am 50/50 [on signings] because this transfer [window] is very complicated and I only want to bring somebody in if I’m convinced he can really improve the level that we have.”
Arsenal are set to complete a loan deal for Flamengo defender Pablo Mari who has arrived in London to undergo a medical for the club.
The Emirates outfit still have a few details to sort out with he Brazilian giants but an agreement appears to be close.
Arsenal are set to take on Bournemouth at Dean Court on Monday in the fourth round of the FA Cup.