Arsenal hold initial talks with AS Monaco over Thomas Lemar transfer and retain hope of signing Kylian Mbappe

Arsenal have held initial talks with Ligue 1 champions AS Monaco over a deal to sign Thomas Lemar.

The £30m-rated winger is also being monitored by Tottenham but Arsenal believe they are in a strong position to complete a deal if they can agree terms with Monaco and then the player’s representatives.

And the Gunners retain hope they could pull off a world-record deal to sign Kylian Mbappe.

A potential deal for Lemar could aid Arsenal’s pursuit of Mbappe, who is yet to finalise his intentions amid interest from a host of top clubs throughout Europe including Paris Saint Germain, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Real Madrid are thought to be leading the race should Mbappe decide to leave Monaco but Wenger believes his close relationship with the player and his family could give Arsenal the edge.

Wenger visited the player’s house last summer in an effort to convince him to join the Gunners but the teenager instead opted to sign a new contract with Monaco.