Arsenal Transfer News: New Thomas Lemar, Mesut Ozil January Rumours

Arsenal are once again being linked with AS Monaco's Thomas Lemar, with the latest rumours saying the Gunners are planning a January bid well below the £90 million offer they made in August. Meanwhile, Barcelona could bid £16 million for impending free agent Mesut Ozil.

According to Rob Draper of the Mail on Sunday, Arsenal are looking to add a director of football, who could help them land prime transfer targets like Lemar. Barcelona director Raul Sanllehi, who has been linked with Manchester City, is a candidate to take the job in north London.

He could help the club make another move for Lemar after negotiations fell through in August, but according to Draper, the Gunners' next offer won't come close to the £90 million they bid in the summer.

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That figure took into account the added £60 million the club expected to receive from selling Alexis Sanchez to City. With that money no longer on the table and Lemar struggling this season, Arsenal hope to land their man for less.

Earlier in November, MailOnline's Sami Mokbel reported the Gunners had ended their interest in the France international altogether. Mokbel noted manager Arsene Wenger was instead looking at Olympique Lyonnais' Nabil Fekir and City's Raheem Sterling.

Meanwhile, Draper also elaborated on Barcelona's supposed interest in Ozil, reporting the Catalans could make a £16 million offer in January rather than wait until summer to sign the German on a free transfer.

The Sun also reported on the links:

Barcelona have emerged as something of a shock suitor for the former Real Madrid man, who still hasn't signed a new contract with Arsenal and seems likely to leave the club in 2018. The Catalans have no midfield needs and don't play with a classic conductor in that area of the pitch, but speculation has nonetheless been rife.

Most of the talk has been driven by the Catalan media, but even they have found it hard to agree of late, per Sport Witness:

The 29-year-old ranks among the best passers in the sport, and Barcelona have long been known for their ability to keep the ball, so one has to assume he would be able to fit in at the Camp Nou.

A £16 million fee seems fair for a player set to become a free agent, and it's hard to see the Gunners passing up an opportunity to unload the player to a foreign club rather than risk him moving to a direct rival.