Atletico Madrid are ready to cough up to £30m for Monaco star Thomas Lemar who they see as an ideal replacement for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann has been linked with a move away from Atletico at the end of the season with growing interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Madrid-based club are not the only club interested in the Monaco winger. Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Liverpool are also in line and are interested to acquire his services. The winger has been capped 6 times for France at U-21 level and has so far been having a wonderful season in Ligue 1.
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Thomas has already bagged 5 goals (equalling last season’s tally) and also has 3 assists to his name.
Atletico did bid £17m for the winger in the summer but their bid got rejected. The winger also remains keen on a move to Spain and Atletico have been in contact with the club and have regularly been scouting the player.
Although Atletico, along with Real Madrid, have been banned from making transfers till 2018, for breaching rules regarding the signing of foreign players under 18 years, it is understood that both the clubs will appeal to the Court of Arbitration.
Monaco however have no interest in selling their star player anytime soon. The club has entered the knockout stage of the Champions League and are also fighting for the Ligue 1 title, currently 2nd. Lemar caught eyes of the other clubs with his scoring ability, speed and trickery. The player was rewarded for his form by getting his 1st cap for his national team, France, earlier this month.
The winger scored his 7th goal of the season in a 2-1 win over Spurs, sending the London club out of the Champions League last night.
Atletico Madrid have a lot deal with at the moment. They need to see off interest from United and Chelsea for their star player, Griezmann, need to get their appeal to be successful, and also look for a new manager if coach Simeone leaves at the end of the season.
Lemar would still consider a move to Atletico even if Simeone leaves. He believes that he would not get much playing time in Manchester City or Bayern Munich and feels Atletico will be the better option.
Another factor to consider would be Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, the former Monaco player has already scored 7 goals in his last games for Atletico and Belgium, and Lemar would also be encouraged by how he has progressed under Simeone.
(Video Courtesy: Sporting Feast)
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