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Last week, Arsene Wenger sat in a chair, stared at a bunch of cameras, and spoke into a microphone about how the long-running transfer saga of Monaco’s Thomas Lemar was a “closed door” because, as he put it, Monaco had already sold too many players and were not willing to part with another departure. On the surface it made some sense, but the question that lingered following that comment of his was the inability to get a deal done for Lemar before the rest of their departures. Or, at least, not be the last club trying to get business done with Monaco before the window closes.
Then yesterday happened.
And then the news today that, well actually, Monaco is willing to do business for Lemar. But the club in question is Liverpool, not Arsenal.
Reports are everywhere today that Liverpool has made multiple bids for Lemar, with figures ranging from £60 million to £74 million. All of this activity following Wenger’s closure of the deal because, again, Monaco’s resolve to hold on to their player was absolute and final.
Simply put, if Liverpool capture Lemar before the window closes on Thursday, this will be yet another damming indictment that chaos and a general lack of leadership has infiltrated every level of Arsenal. A player that toured the practice facility and had a contract agreed upon with the club this summer, who finds himself ending up at Liverpool speaks volumes on the disconnect between Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, the Board, and the squad.
People far smarter than me who have a better way of words will undoubtedly heap scorn and fury upon this club in the days ahead, especially if Lemar and Monaco work something out with Liverpool (who, let’s add, just secured Naby Keita this morning). At this point, the frustration is too heavy for me to say much more.
What I do know is that Arsene Wenger either is incompetent in transfers, or lied to the media and fans about the Thomas Lemar saga. And whatever one it ends up being is beyond scary.