Arsenal Transfer News: Thomas Lemar Bid of £40M Reported, Fresh Gunners Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly launched a £40 million bid for AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar after seeing their first offer for the winger rejected.

French newspaper L'Equipe noted that the Gunners had returned with a greater offer than their initial £30 million bid in the hope of tempting "key target" Lemar away from the Stade Louis II (h/t Charles Watts of football.london).

However, Warren Haughton of The Sun reported Lemar and the Gunners have agreed to personal terms, even if the clubs haven't worked out a fee yet. 

It's said manager Arsene Wenger is "determined" to wrap up the move after Alexandre Lacazette's arrival was confirmed on Wednesday.

Lemar was one of the driving forces behind a Monaco attack that scored an astonishing 107 goals en route to the Ligue 1 title last term, and Squawka recently broke down his contributions to the cause:

Lacazette was the Gunners' second major signing of the summer after left-back Sead Kolasinac agreed a free transfer earlier in the window following the expiration of his contract with German club Schalke 04.

According to Watts, Wenger was close to signing Lemar while still at SM Caen in 2015 but missed out as the player moved to the French Riviera instead.

Two years on, and the Frenchman is fighting to lure the wide man to north London for a much larger fee than the club would have paid back then, although it could be a worthy investment given Lemar's rise to prominence with Monaco.

French football pundit Andrew Gibney recently provided some context on the matter, presenting some factors that could work in Arsenal's favour following their latest signing:

L'Equipe acknowledged Lemar and Lacazette's friendship as an undeniable factor in the speculation (h/t Sport Witness), not to mention there is already a group of French speakers at the Emirates Stadium.

Lemar traditionally functions down the left flank and could form part of a new attacking trident with Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez, provided the Chilean—in the final year of his contract—remains at Arsenal.

Wenger has already conducted one major signing from Ligue 1 this summer and could be hoping to add another before the window is over, but Monaco's reluctance to sell their top assets cheaply could provide an obstacle.

The Ligue 1 champions have already lost one key player to Premier League spenders this summer in Bernardo Silva, who joined Manchester City, and they will want to retain as much of the squad that led them to glory in 2016-17.

Arsenal's lack of UEFA Champions League football next season could affect their chances of tempting Europe's top talents to the club, but Lemar could follow Lacazette's lead by trusting in the Gunners' vision with a move this summer.