Liverpool are reported to have joined Juventus, Arsenal and Tottenham in pursuit of AS Monaco’s 21-year-old left winger Thomas Lemar.
Jurgen Klopp is clearly eager to add more cutting edge in the final third ahead of the 2017/18 campaign, as he fleshes out his squad’s ranks.
Both AS Roma winger Mohamed Salah and Arsenal utility man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are said to be priority targets, with a host of other options mooted for the summer market.
Monaco, who enjoyed a phenomenal campaign last time out, look set for a deluge of offers this summer—and they could entertain one from Liverpool if reports in France are to be believed.
According to Telefoot, Klopp is interested in bringing Lemar to Anfield, as he seeks to add to his forward line.
They claim the Reds’ top-four rivals Arsenal and Spurs are also “seduced” by Lemar’s potential, along with Serie A giants Juventus.
Lemar scored 14 goals and assisted a further 17 in 55 games for Monaco last season, having joined from Stade Malherbe Caen in a deal worth just £3.5 million in 2015.
Along with Kylian Mbappe, Lemar is one of the most exciting young attacking talents in Ligue 1, with his control, pace, skill and creativity making him an invaluable playmaker for Monaco.
Whether Liverpool would be able to sign Lemar is questionable, particularly if Juventus were to approach the youngster, while the credibility of Telefoot’s claim is unclear.
The Reds are seemingly closing in on a deal to sign Salah, with the Egyptian expected to join Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in Klopp’s first-choice attacking line.
This would allow Philippe Coutinho to move into a deeper, more creative midfield role alongside two of Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and potentially Naby Keita.
Signing Lemar and Salah would give Klopp considerable quality and depth, but it is unlikely either would join without the guarantee of a key role.
Of course, Liverpool are still monitoring alternatives in attack, with Gelson Martins, Douglas Costa and Keita Balde all reported to be on Klopp’s radar.
Lemar is only said to be valued at around £26 million, however, and could provide better value if a deal for Salah falls through—particularly given his age.
For now, Lemar seems an unlikely arrival, but he would certainly be a fine addition.
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