Barcelona challenge Arsenal for Lemar

The Gunners have chased the signing of Thomas Lemar, but Monaco remain unwilling to sell the 21-year-old having turned down a £40m bid from the Emirates last month.

The Ligue 1 champions have lost a number of players in the transfer window, including Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko, added to the looming threat of Mbappe exit.

Barcelona, on the other hand, are looking to begin life without Neymar and have added Lemar to their wishlist along with Coutinho and Dembele.

Monaco seem reluctant to sell, but having cashed in for Neymar's world-record deal, the Catalans will be able to launch a much-improved bid to secure the services of the France international.