Arsenal move closer to £30m deal for Monaco forward Thomas Lemar as Arsene Wenger looks to add firepower

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Arsenal are closing in on £30million-rated Monaco attacker Thomas Lemar as Arsene Wenger looks to boost his attacking options this summer.

The Gunners have already secured one signing in the form of Sead Kolasinac and are now growing increasingly confident of tying up their second.

Lemar is valued at £30m by Champions League semi-finalists Monaco and talks have begun smoothly between the French side and Arsenal.

Talented Monaco forward Thomas Lemar is closing in on a £30million move to Arsenal 

The 21-year-old impressed for Monaco last season and Arsenal are pressing ahead with talks

Arsene Wenger is confident of securing a deal for the forward, who netted 17 times last season

Arsenal do not expect any major hitches in the discussions and Lemar will add some firepower to a forward line that could only secure a fifth-placed finish last season.

Despite the lack of Champions League football next season, Lemar is happy to join up with fellow Frenchman Wenger, who is a big admirer of the 21-year-old.

Lemar was a vital part of Monaco's team last season as they lifted the Ligue 1 title and reached the semi-final of Europe's premier competition.

He made 55 appearances in all competitions, netting 14 goals while adding 17 assists.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are offering Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil huge pay hikes to sign new contracts.

The Gunners are yet to resolve the long-running contract disputes that have left a gloomy cloud hanging over the club in recent months.

And Sportsmail can reveal that Arsenal have offered the star duo mega pay-rises - in the region of 20 per cent - in a bid to persuade them to sign.

Arsenal are keen on signing both Lemar (right) and fellow Monaco star Kylian Mbappe

Arsenal already have one player through the door in the form of Schalke's Sead Kolasinac