Thomas Lemar is keen on moving to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Monaco have rejected a third bid from Arsenal for playmaker Thomas Lemar, according to reports in France.

Arsene Wenger is desperate to sign the Frenchman but has been frustrated in his efforts and had two bids turned down already this summer.

The Gunners had a bid of around £40million rejected last week and Monaco have turned down a third bid of around £44.7m, according to L’Equipe.

Monaco have sold the likes of Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko this summer but vice-president Vadim Vasilyev insisted earlier this week that Lemar would be one of the players that would stay at the club.

Lemar will not be sold, according to Monaco’s vice-president (Picture: Getty)

‘Fabinho and [Thomas] Lemar are essential players, they will stay with us,’ said Vasilyev.

‘We have kept all of the key players we intended to keep.’

Arsenal may be forced into switching their attention to Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, who is keen on leaving the Foxes.

However, the Foxes are keen on keeping the Algerian and want around £50m to let him go.

Wenger maintains that any additions to the squad will be to compliment Alexis Sanchez at the Emirates but speculation persists over his future,