Arsenal: Overpaying for Thomas Lemar an unwanted necessity

Monaco are growing in their resistance to selling Thomas Lemar. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger may have to undergo an unwanted necessity to secure his services: overspend.

Arsenal are notoriously hesitant in the transfer window. While the general critique is one that is a little unfounded, perhaps exaggerating certain aspects and negating more recent evidence that suggests the contrary, it is still one that does carry some weight and bears some accuracy.

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Historically, they have been unwilling to spend the more significant sums because there simply wasn’t the money available. Due to the financial pressures of the move to the Emirates, Arsene Wenger had to be frugal with what he had to work with, often forced into selling some of the more established members of the squad before he could proceed to invest in new recruits.

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More recently, Wenger has been more willing to open the chequebook, breaking the club record twice in the past four years, the first time for Mesut Ozil and then subsequently for Alexandre Lacazette. However, while the critique of his dislike for spending is a little harsh, what cannot be doubted is the way in which he conducts his business is unwavering and unchanging.

The reason why Wenger is so careful in the transfer window is his obsession with value. Wenger will not pay any more than he deems reasonable for a player. He values them at a certain price, and no matter the context, the need, or the refusal to sell, he will never be flexible on the price, never paying a penny more than he believes is necessary.

Sometimes, such considered, careful business is extremely beneficial. It means that he is not attracted to the big names and is more able to scour the lower leagues, both domestically and abroad, to maximise the value he gets. However, there is one key area where it significantly cripples the success of the club: getting your man.

And that is again coming to the fore this summer. Wenger is clearly interested in Monaco winger Thomas Lemar. However, given the possible exodus from the young and talented French champions, they are rather resistant to sell, waiting for a blockbuster offer that is unrefusable.

If Wenger is determined to complete a move for Lemar, then he will have to pay through the nose to get him, perhaps agreeing to a price greater than he would initially value him at. That is something that Wenger does not want to. Not at all.

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And yet, that is what is required. It is not good to overpay. But sometimes is necessary. This is one of those scenarios.