Arsenal Transfer News: Thomas Lemar Bid of €50M Reportedly Rejected by Monaco

Arsenal have reportedly had a €50 million (£44.8 million) bid for AS Monaco's Thomas Lemar rejected by the Ligue 1 champions. 

According to L'Equipe (via Get French Football News), the Gunners have been stymied in their attempt to snap up one of their key transfer targets:

Winger Lemar, 21, has been linked to Arsenal for much of the summer, and the north London club has already seen two previous bids for him rejected, the first of which was worth €35 million (£30.74 million), per the Guardian's David Hytner.

Per Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph, Monaco remain adamant he is not for sale, even for £45 million.

Frenchman Lemar was one of a number of young players in Monaco's squad who impressed last season as they won Ligue 1 and made the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

A versatile forward able to play on either flank or through the middle, Lemar netted nine goals and provided 10 assists in the French top flight in 2016-17, per WhoScored.com.

It is little surprise Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is pursuing Lemar, who would likely fit in well at the Emirates Stadium given his slick passing skills and comfort on the ball.

However, Monaco are reluctant to let him go, and Arsenal may have to pursue alternative options given they have seen three bids turned down.