Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Thomas Lemar and Danny Welbeck

Arsenal are reportedly at the centre of a four-way tussle to sign AS Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar this summer.

According to Steve Stammers of the Sunday Mirror, the Gunners have already had three offers rejected for Lemar, while Manchester City and Liverpool also have an interest in the young Frenchman.

Barcelona are the latest team said to be keen on the player, as they seek to fill the void left by Neymar's departure after his world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"[Arsene] Wenger is ready to up his offer to £50 million for Lemar—but Monaco know that Barcelona can now outbid any competitors," Stammers wrote. However, Sport Witness suggested the interest from Catalonia may not be as strong as reported:

Lemar was one of the key members of Monaco's title-winning team last season, offering an exhilarating edge on the left side. The 21-year-old has superb acceleration, excellent close control and is adept at finding space in the final third.

He's a productive player as well; Lemar netted nine times from the left flank and also laid on 10 goals for his team-mates last season. It's easy to see why so many elite clubs from European football are keeping an eye on his situation.

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Monaco would prefer to keep Lemar this summer. As noted by journalist Charles Watts, the club has cashed in on some key men already in this transfer window:

With money brought in from the sales of Benjamin Mendy, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Bernardo Silva already, there's no great pressure for the Ligue 1 side to relax their valuation of Lemar. With that in mind, not to mention the competition for his signature, Arsenal may have to shell out a massive amount of money to get their man.

Everton Eye Danny Welbeck as Olivier Giroud Alternative

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According to Neil Moxley of the Sunday People (h/t the Mirror), Everton will turn their attention to Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck if they are unable to prise Olivier Giroud away from the Emirates Stadium.

Moxley reported that the Toffees are on the hunt for a new striker, having sold Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United this summer, with Giroud high on their wanted list. However, the Frenchman "wants to see if he features in Wenger's immediate plans," per Moxley.

Should Giroud remain in north London, Everton will move for another Arsenal forward in Welbeck, Moxley said: "Welbeck would command a price tag of £30 million in today's market and has links to the Merseysiders through former Old Trafford team-mate [Wayne] Rooney."

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Alexandre Lacazette's arrival at Arsenal this summer means competition in the forward positions will be fierce at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners should consequently be able to cope without one of Welbeck or Giroud this term.

Of the two, football writer Michael De Asha believes the latter would be a better fit for Everton:

The Toffees do lack some dynamism in the final third, and Welbeck could provide that. Additionally, the England man is physical and versatile in the way he operates.

Paying £30 million for Welbeck would be a big gamble, though. The forward has missed a lot of football in recent seasons because of injury problems and has yet to find his groove since returning to fitness. If Arsenal were to receive that type of offer for the 26-year-old, there would be a big temptation to cash in.