Arsenal are set to step up their pursuit of Monaco winger Thomas Lemar after confirming the signing of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette for a club-record £52million.
The Gunners were finalising paperwork on Lacazette’s transfer on Wednesday morning after the striker passed a medical at the London Colney club’s training base on Tuesday.
An announcement is expected early on Wednesday evening when the 26-year-old will be confirmed as the most expensive player in Arsenal’s history.
It is understood that the Gunners have agreed an initial deal worth about £45m with an additional £7m in add-ons and performance-related payments.
Lacazette will join up with his team-mates this week and is expected to fly out with the first-team squad on Sunday night as they begin a pre-season tour of Australia and China.
The deal will be viewed as a statement of intent by manager Arsene Wenger, who is targeting at least two further signings having now secured Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke.
Lemar is now Wenger’s preferred target although Monaco have so far proved unwilling to consider doing business.
Arsenal transfer targets for summer 2017
Lemar was valued at around £30m by Arsenal but the Ligue 1 champions have underlined their intent to keep the 21-year-old by quoting the Gunners more than double that amount.
The two clubs are consequently a long way apart with Arsenal having an initial bid just below £30m rejected last month. The Gunners are expected to make an improved offer but are likely to turn to Riyad Mahrez as an alternative should Monaco refuse to negotiate.
Standard Sport understands that contrary to some reports, no formal offer for Mahrez has yet been made but that could change if Arsenal are unable to make progress on Lemar.
