Arsenal Transfer News: Alexandre Lacazette, Thomas Lemar, Riyad Mahrez Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly bid a combined £85 million for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and AS Monaco's Thomas Lemar.

The Gunners are also still interested in Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, but Lemar is the preferred option, while a move for Lacazette would break the club's transfer record, per Jeremy Wilson and John Percy of the Daily Telegraph.

Both Lacazette and Lemar have been named as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's "attacking priorities," per Wilson and Percy.

However, David Hytner of the Guardian reported Arsenal's bid for Lemar was rejected and Monaco are "adamant they will not sell."

The Telegraph report indicated the potential signings of Lacazette and Lemar could lead to more than one key first-teamer leaving the Gunners this summer: "Their arrival would open the way to Alexis Sanchez departing and, although Wenger does also want to keep the option of Olivier Giroud, his striker wants more regular football and is being chased by West Ham United, Lyon and Marseille."

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Losing Sanchez in particular would be a major blow for Arsenal after the Chilean proved to be the team's talisman last season, scoring 30 times in all competitions. However, Lemar is an intriguing possible replacement for Sanchez, whose contract expires in 2018.

Like Sanchez, the France international plays on the left side, but he is more of a traditional winger than the South American, who thrives as a roving forward in Wenger's tactics. Even so, Lemar flourished as Monaco won the Ligue 1 title last season, scoring 14 times and providing as many assists in all competitions, per WhoScored.com.

Percy and Wilson noted why Wenger would prefer a move for Lemar over signing Mahrez: "Arsenal are prepared to pay more than £30 million for Lemar and, with the 26-year-old Mahrez likely to command at least a similar fee, there is potentially far more longer-term value in pursuing the 21-year-old Monaco winger."

Meanwhile, Goal's Chris Wheatley has said Lemar's character is as appealing to Wenger as his technical acumen.

David Vincent/Associated Press/Associated Press

Rumours of Lemar moving to north London have grown recently, with MailOnline's Ben Nagle also reporting the Gunners are inching toward a deal worth £30 million for the player.

Things aren't as clear with Lacazette, despite Percy and Wilson detailing how Wenger is keen to convince the striker on moving to England's top flight now rather than waiting until January to sign for La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

Yet Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said his star striker will stay at Lyon during an interview with Canal Plus (h/t Andy Charles of Sky Sports): "I do not think that Alexandre Lacazette will leave this summer."

Of course, Aulas could be playing hardball over an attacker who could cost Arsenal over £49 million, per Wilson and Percy. It would break the club record set when Wenger paid £42.4 million for Mesut Ozil in 2013.

Arsenal need Lacazette's pace, movement and quality in front of goal, but the way Aulas is talking this deal could drag.

ROMAIN LAFABREGUE/Getty Images

In fact, the Telegraph report has detailed how all of the Gunners' transfer business could hinge on the futures of contract rebels Ozil and Sanchez, with the north London club only prepared to offer the pair £280,000 per week.

Signing Lemar and Lacazette would hardly soften the blow of losing Ozil and Sanchez, despite both being burgeoning talents. However, Gunners fans should at least be encouraged the club is taking steps to add to the squad that finished fifth in the Premier League last season.