Vice-president: £92m star wanted LFC move… this is why deal failed

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Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has explained why the French champions would not sanction a late summer move for Thomas Lemar.

The 21-year-old was strongly linked with both Liverpool and Arsenal, with the latter having reportedly made a £92million deadline day bid for the Frenchman.

It was also revealed that Liverpool had failed with an offer of around £65million for the versatile forward, who was believed to be keen on an Anfield switch.

Speaking to Russian news agency TASS, Vasilyev said: “It was not easy. Thomas wanted to go to Arsenal and to Liverpool, but we had discussions and we took a decision so that he could stay here,” as cited by the Liverpool Echo.

“He is a very important player for us. We could not have sold him, it would have affected the entire team and the individuals.”

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There have since been rumours circulating that Liverpool will revive their pursuit of Lemar when the transfer window reopens in January.

Doing so could prove successful given the player’s notable desire to move to Merseyside, although the possibility of Barcelona maintaining their interest makes for a competitive deal.

Monaco’s decision to keep hold of him can’t be argued with given how late the deal came in the summer- not to mention the number of key players they had already lost.

For now, Lemar is a player Reds have good reason to keep one eye on as the season progresses.

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