Arsenal Transfer News: Thomas Lemar Contract Rumours, Daniele Rugani Latest

AS Monaco winger and Arsenal target Thomas Lemar has reportedly turned down a contract extension on the French Riviera, fuelling rumours he's headed for the exit. Elsewhere, the agent of Daniele Rugani has confirmed the Gunners' interest in his client.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with Lemar for the better part of a year, and French newspaper L'Equipe reported he has now rejected the chance to extend his stay at his club (h/t TalkSport).

The Gunners came close to sealing a deadline-day move for the 22-year-old last summer, but Sky Sports noted the deal couldn't be completed in time despite a £92 million offer being accepted. It was alleged Lemar preferred to join Liverpool over a move to north London.

Manager Jurgen Klopp's side remain heavily linked with the France international, too, and Oliver Bond of Anfield HQ suggested the Merseysiders will renew their interest in his services at the end of the season:

Lemar moved to the Stade Louis II from Caen in 2015 and has two-and-a-half-years remaining on the deal he signed upon arrival, including a salary of only £22,000 per week, per the Mirror's Neil McLeman.

It's highly likely Monaco's recent contract offer also included a significant wage increase, but Arsenal would also be liable to hand him a big upgrade in that regard.

The French maestro was one of Ligue 1's most sought-after stars last summer but remained at Monaco after winning the title while former team-mates Kylian Mbappe, Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko departed.

Despite failing to hit the same standards for his club this season, Lemar has continued to show glimpses of the pedigree that first attracted some of Europe's top clubs, via Goal:

Many would argue defence to be Arsenal's more grave concern at present, however, and Davide Torchia, representative of Juventus centre-back Rugani, said the Gunners are among the clubs interested.

Speaking to Radio Sportiva (h/t the Mirror's James Whaling), he said: "Daniele's doing well, I'm happy for him. Arsenal? They didn't launch any attempts for him. They expressed a liking for him but we have respect for Juventus."

Most of Arsenal's winter transfer business came in attack, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining while Alexis Sanchez moved to Manchester United.

Despite those acquisitions, however, Henry Winter of The Times agreed some astute investment at the back wouldn't go astray, namely in central defence:

Rugani has struggled to lay down a marker on Juve's first team this season but has started in 14 of his 15 appearances, despite the fact some saw Leonardo Bonucci's departure for AC Milan as his chance to evolve into a starting role.

The 23-year-old remains a highly touted prospect in Italy, however, and with Per Mertesacker set to retire at the end of this season and Laurent Koscielny, 32, showing some wavering form, a youthful recruit could be needed.