Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Thomas Lemar admission proves deal nearly done

Arsene Wenger admitted that he and Arsenal are interested in signing Thomas Lemar from Monaco. Such is the privacy with which he usually operates in the transfer window, the admission heavily implies that a deal has nearly been agreed upon.

Throughout his Arsenal tenure, Arsene Wenger has been heavily criticised for his hesitancy in the transfer window. Rarely is he convicted in his pursuits, often allowing his preferred targets to slip through his fingers as other, more forward and intentional managers, are able to force a deal over the line.

It is perhaps a little bit of an unfair criticism given the lack of funds that he has to work with, limiting the effectiveness and influence that he can have in the market, and the recent upturn in spending, including a near £100 million spree last summer and breaking the club transfer record for Alexandre Lacazette.

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However, the impression still exists and it does carry an element of truth and accuracy. The private way with which he goes about his business certainly adds to the mystery of his dealings, such that the public is often unaware of his failed attempts to sign players or why certain deals may have fallen through or why a particular player was not pursued as intently as many would have hoped.

The privacy with which Wenger works, though, does add significance and weight to the revelations that he does offer every now and then, particularly when he is referring to specific players by name. That is why his recent comments regarding Arsenal’s pursuit of Thomas Lemar are so encouraging. Speaking before the Gunners’ preseason tour of Australia, Wenger stated:

"“He’s a player that we follow yes, we look at. We are looking at more signings. But there’s nothing really concrete about any signings.”"

While Wenger does admit that ‘there’s nothing really concrete about any signings’, by reading between the lines a little, it is clear to see that a proposed deal for Lemar is very much a possibility.

Wenger is rarely so open regarding possible signings and usually talks in vague, overarching terms, attempting to steer the questions away from named players. In this case, though, he is far more candid and revealing in his answer. To me, that suggests that several offers have been made and that Wenger is confident a deal can be agreed upon with both Monaco and Lemar.

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That should be extremely exciting news. Lemar is a wonderfully gifted player, with great intelligence and creativity on the ball, and if Wenger is confident enough to name him as a subject of his interest, then we too should be looking forward to the possibility of seeing him at the Emirates.