Though speculation over Liverpool’s interest in Thomas Lemar has cooled of late, the midfielder’s plight at Monaco could spark renewed hopes.
The Reds were unsuccessful in their advances for the France international last summer, and the Ligue 1 outfit held firm in their no-sale stance in January.
It was then reported in February that Jurgen Klopp had ended his pursuit of Lemar, despite the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, with Monaco’s asking price seemingly deemed to high.
However, it is increasingly likely that Lemar will leave the Principality club at the end of the season, with president Vadim Vasilyev now more receptive to a deal.
Whether Liverpool will revive their interest remains to be seen, but the midfielder’s falling stock could open up the possibility of a cut-price move.
According to French outlet RMC Sport, both Lemar and Brazilian midfielder Fabinho were targeted by supporters after Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Amiens SC.
They report how police were forced to intervene after the pair were confronted in the Stade Louis II car park that evening.
This comes after Vasilyev told reporters that his side were in “a difficult time” and struggling with “a lack of confidence.”
RMC Sport also claimed manager Leonardo Jardim was required to confront his squad for a lack of focus to ensure “the interest of the club comes before [personal] interest.”
Lemar has laid on nine goals in 34 appearances this season, but has scored only three, and given he netted 14 and assisted 17 in 55 games last term it could be suggested that he has taken his foot off the gas.
While this is unlikely to endear Lemar to Klopp, he has been receptive to working with players who had found themselves in a malaise at their previous clubs.
The prime example is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who with three goals and seven assists in 32 games this season has tallied his best-ever return in a Premier League campaign.
Having endured six hit-and-miss seasons with Arsenal, the England international found his stride at Anfield, liberated in his preferred midfield duty and a focal role under Klopp.
With Oxlade-Chamberlain now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, Lemar could return to Klopp’s radar—particularly with Emre Can also likely to leave on the expiry of his contract in July.
Monaco had played hardball over their No. 27’s future but with a summer rebuild likely he could be sacrificed as symbolic of a loss of focus in 2017/18.
If Lemar is made available this summer, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Liverpool would return to the table.
Fan Comments