Arsenal ‘open talks with Atletico Madrid over Thomas Lemar transfer’ as Mikel Arteta eyes first Gunners signing
ARSENAL are reportedly in talks with Atletico Madrid star Thomas Lemar over a shock January transfer.
Get French Football News claims the winger is a target for Mikel Arteta this month.
And Arsenal have made contact with both the player and his club in the hope of striking a deal before deadline day.
However, it’s added that all parties are nowhere near an agreement.
And it remains to be seen if a deal can get over the line before the winter window slams shut.
France international Lemar, 24, is in his second season at Atletico but has failed to score a single goal in 21 appearances.
It’s reckoned Diego Simeone is running out of patience with the World Cup winner.
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And Arsenal appear to feel the time is right to bring Lemar to the Emirates as Arteta looks to launch a late push for a top four finish.
Speaking on Thursday, the Spaniard revealed he is on the hunt for a new defender after losing the likes of Kieran Tierney, Sead Kolasinac and Calum Chambers to injury.
But Arteta added that he is also ready to strengthen other areas of his squad if the right deals become available.
He said: “We’ve been looking at different positions.
“Since I joined we lost Calum and we had other circumstances and injuries in those positions.
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“So it’s true at the back we are short.
“But other positions as well depending on what happens in the market that we might need to assess.
“At the moment I am 50-50.”