The last day of the summer transfer window was an eventful time for Arsenal, but their inability to get deals done could prove to be costly.
Off the back of a season in which he scored 14 goals and provided 17 assists in 55 appearances for Monaco to help them win the Ligue 1 title and make the Champions League semi-finals, Thomas Lemar was a man in demand.
As per The Mirror, Arsenal were believed to be offering over £90m to land the French international’s signature, but with Alexis Sanchez’s proposed move to Man City falling through, it was as you were for the Gunners when the window closed for business.
Former Arsenal star Robert Pires has now warned the club that they may well have missed their chance to sign Lemar, as he has raised real doubts over whether it will happen next year.
“Arsene tried to buy Lemar, and tried very hard, but I don’t think the move will happen now,” Pires told Bwin.
He added: “I don’t think he’s worth £90m, it’s too much, the market is crazy. What would Zidane and Ronaldinho be worth now!”
To back up his latter point, Lemar has struggled to maintain his level of form this season as he’s contributed just three assists in 12 outings.
In turn, it would arguably be questionable for Arsenal to now shell out £90m on the player unless he can prove that he can consistently deliver at the highest level.
His form so far this year would suggest that he can’t for now, but at 21 years of age, he’s undoubtedly got plenty of room for improvement and development, and whether he would take his game to the next level at Arsenal is also a worthy argument to warrant Wenger reigniting his interest in the summer.