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Gunning for new targets

Riyad Mahrez? Manuel Lanzini? Who should Arsenal sign this summer if Arsene Wenger misses out on Thomas Lemar?

Our friends at Football Whispers assess alternatives for the Gunners  - now that Barcelona also want the France starlet

WITH Monaco desperate to keep hold of Thomas Lemar this summer, Arsenal’s hopes of signing the winger were already looking slim.

The Ligue 1 champions are hoping the France international can be one of their stars who stay at the club this season, following the departures of Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

 Monaco hope to keep long-term Arsenal target Thomas Lemar - but now Barcelona are also keen on the 21-year-old France winger
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Monaco hope to keep long-term Arsenal target Thomas Lemar - but now Barcelona are also keen on the 21-year-old France wingerCredit: AFP or licensors
 Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Lemar have both been linked with exits from Monaco
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Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Lemar have both been linked with exits from MonacoCredit: Reuters

But now for the Monegasques and the Gunners there is a serious threat to those hopes with the 21-year-old reportedly a Barcelona transfer target.


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Football Whispers look at alternative options Arsenal could pursue if the Catalan side replace Neymar with the Monaco wide man.

Riyad Mahrez – Leicester City

The former PFA Player of the Year didn’t enjoy the best season at Leicester City, but his quality shone through in the UEFA Champions League – enough to link the Gunners and Roma with a big money move for the Algeria international.

Now, according to the Leicester Mercury, Inter Milan have thrown their hat in the ring to sign Mahrez this summer.

The former Le Havre youngster has picked up 23 goals and 14 assists in the top flight, developing into a winger that gives defenders nightmares.

 Riyad Mahrez was the main man when Leicester won the title two seasons ago
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Riyad Mahrez was the main man when Leicester won the title two seasons agoCredit: Rex Features
 The future of Leicester livewire Riyad Mahrez is still under the microscope
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The future of Leicester livewire Riyad Mahrez is still under the microscopeCredit: Rex Features

His direct style, dribbling ability and telepathic sense of when to pick a pass would be ideal at the Emirates. He could slot into Arsene Wenger’s 3-4-3 and play just off the main striker, looking to create havoc in the final third.

Adem Ljajic – Torino

Last season Ljajic scored 12 goals and added 11 assists for Torino in 36 games. Eight of those came in Serie A, and the Serbian averaged 1.8 key passes per 90 minutes. He even bagged a crucial goal at the home of city rivals Juventus in their own ground.

 Adem Ljajic has an excellent goal ratio and is a quality taker of set-pieces
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Adem Ljajic has an excellent goal ratio and is a quality taker of set-piecesCredit: EPA

Excellent from set-pieces, the former Manchester United youngster attempted 3.4 shots per 90 last term and has a knack of cutting inside onto his right-foot to fire off attempts, or slipping passes to onrushing forwards.

Some of the balls he supplied one-time Chelsea transfer target Andrea Bellotti would be ideal for Alexandre Lacazette next season. Faster and stronger than the Lemar, he would provide Arsenal with added physicality.

Suso – AC Milan

Reportedly also a Spurs transfer target, the former Liverpool youngster managed to turn his Milan career around over the last 18 months to become a key figure for the Rossoneri.

 Suso has the sort of versatility up front that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger likes
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Suso has the sort of versatility up front that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger likesCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Now, due to their incessant spending, competition for places has become very fierce and there is no guarantee the Spaniard will be picked by Vincenzo Montella this season.

In Serie A last season, the 23-year-old contributed seven goals and nine assists in what was a disappointing campaign for the Rossoneri, as well as attempting 3.9 dribbles per 90 minutes.

Although right-footed, Suso can play anywhere in the attack and would link up well in the Gunners’ system. His versatility up front, plus ability to create through the centre, attack full-backs and provide crosses, would be ideal for Wenger.

Domenico Berardi – Sassuolo

The Sassuolo youth product was signed up by Juventus in 2013 for £4million but, after being loaned back, he never featured for the Old Lady.

 Sassuolo star Domenico Berardi has netted 43 times and helped set up 31 other goals in his four years with the Serie A club
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Sassuolo star Domenico Berardi has netted 43 times and helped set up 31 other goals in his four years with the Serie A clubCredit: ANSA

Now, after four seasons with the Neroverdi, he has 43 goals and 31 assists in Serie A and is an Inter Milan and Roma transfer target.

A different style to Lemar, the 23-year-old has brought comparisons with Arjen Robben as he has a similar ability to cut inside onto his stronger foot. Berardi can provide dangerous crosses from either flank and would be ideal in a 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 system.

Manuel Lanzini – West Ham United

When Dimitri Payet left West Ham United for Marseille many believed it was Manuel Lanzini who stepped up.

 Arsenal could be tempted to go back in for West Ham's Manuel Lanzini
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Arsenal could be tempted to go back in for West Ham's Manuel LanziniCredit: Getty - Contributor

In truth, impressively, his statistics remained the same, suggesting he was unvalued before. It was more that he stepped out of the Frenchman’s shadow.

He averaged 1.9 key passes, and 2.4 crosses per 90 minutes in the league. He has shown he can feature and change games through the middle, but also bring that threat from wide.

The Argentine was an Arsenal transfer target early in the window but insisted he was happy in East London. Faced with the prospect of not signing Lemar, Wenger could go back in for the 24-year-old and make the Hammers an offer they can’t refuse.



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