Transfer rumor roundup 7/7: Arsenal make second Lemar bid
By Nick Pitner
Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
Friday’s most notable transfer development is L’Equipe’s report of Arsenal making a second bid worth €45 million for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar.
The 21-year-old was the subject of an initial €40 million bid last month, and although both of Arsenal’s attempts to sign him have now been rebuffed, the Gunners reportedly remain insistent on him being their next acquisition.
Working in Arsenal’s favor is the fact that Lemar is said to be close to Alexandre Lacazette, who became the north London club’s record signing earlier this week.
Additionally, The Sun reports Lemar has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, which could signal to Monaco that he’s prepared to leave after winning the Ligue 1 title this past season.
However, with the French side desperate to keep star striker Kylian Mbappe around, it’s said they’ve guaranteed him that no more players will be sold this summer, perhaps putting Lemar in a peculiar situation.
In 55 total appearances last season, Lemar was credited with 14 goals and 17 assists.
Elsewhere in England, the London Evening Standard reports West Ham are keeping Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi under consideration as they look to bolster their attacking ranks this offseason.
Along with Burnley’s Andre Gray, Batshuayi is seen as someone that can complement Andy Carroll atop the Hammers’ front-line, and the Belgian is known to be seeking more playing time this season after featuring for just 235 Premier League minutes in his debut campaign at Chelsea.
Despite such a small role, the 23-year-old hit for five goals last term, helping clinch Chelsea’s second league championship in three seasons with his heroics down the stretch.
Although top scorer Diego Costa is expected to leave the club, manager Antonio Conte is keen to bring in another option to lead the line, leaving Batshuayi in jeopardy of playing second fiddle ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
While West Ham were linked with Mexican and Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez earlier this week, a move for Batshuayi represents an attractive alternative.
Like Batshuayi, Fabian Delph’s transfer to a big English club has resulted in him getting fewer opportunities than desired, opening the possibility of him switching clubs.
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According to the Stoke Sentinel, Mark Hughes’ Stoke City are trying to land the 27-year-old midfielder, who joined Manchester City for a reported £8 million two summers ago.
Even though Delph has found playing time hard to come by, particularly under new City boss Pep Guardiola, the Citizens are believed to be demanding £12 million to sell Delph permanently.
However, given Delph’s hefty salary at City, the full investment required to secure his services complicates a move to Stoke, which could either force the Potters to call off their pursuit or simply look for a long-term loan deal.
To conclude, a transfer that has been confirmed is Italian right-back Andrea Conti’s switch to AC Milan.
The Rossoneri announced Friday that Conti signed a five-year contract with the club, adding yet another talented youngster to their offseason overhaul.
In 31 Serie A starts this past season, the 23-year-old registered an impressive eight goals and five assists from his wing-back role in Atalanta’s 3-5-2 setup, offering plenty of attacking verve to go with sound defensive awareness to boot.
In joining Milan, Conti follows midfielder Franck Kessie to the San Siro, where they’ll look to duplicate the success they had last season while leading Atalanta to an improbable fourth-place finish.