Monaco Vice-president Vadim Vasilyev confirms Liverpool’s interest in their Winger Thomas Lemar and revealed that there’s a “fair chance” the winger could leave the club next summer.
The Merseysiders was strongly linked to the France International in the previous summer transfer window and reportedly held talks with the Ligue 1 side, while Liverpool medical personnel was ready to take the medicals to Lemar in Paris but the deal went sideways following an agreement not reached.
Arsenal who were also keen to sign the French player made a whooping bid of £90million and almost beat the Reds to his signature but there was little minutes left to the deadline which saw Lemar continue his stay at Stade Louis II.
The Vice-president said to SkySports: “Liverpool were really interested, But it was Arsenal that was really close to finalising the deal. It was quite close.”
“At the same time it was just too late, not enough time, to really follow up on this deal. Not all the elements of the puzzle fell in place. I’m very happy he stayed with us. For us, we need a player like Thomas Lemar. He’s very important to our team.
“Definitely next summer will be something to look at, although you know in football there are no guarantees. We had some players who were supposed to leave this summer but didn’t leave because of X, Y, Z.
“I think it would be fair to say Thomas will have a fair chance to an exit next year.
“January, in football, never say never, but this is not what we’re thinking of, this is really not in our plans. January doesn’t seem like the right time for major changes in the team.”
The 21 year old midfielder, who was interested in a move to Anfield, netted 14 goals and assisted in 17 goals in 55 appearances as he helped Monaco lift the Ligue 1 title last season and also reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.