- Liverpool agree personal terms with Thomas Lemar
- Monaco star touted as potential Philippe Coutinho replacement
- Lemar’s asking-price remains primary issue
- SEE MORE: Liverpool in talks to sign familiar €18million Brazilian – reports
Liverpool have reportedly edged closer towards fighting off competition to ensure Monaco’s Thomas Lemar becomes a Red.
The Frenchman has been identified as Jurgen Klopp’s first choice target in his mission to wisely reinvest the £142million generated by the sale of Philippe Coutinho.
Lemar has consolidated a place on Liverpool’s radar since the summer transfer window, in which the club made an offer supposedly upwards of £70million for the 22-year-old.
Though that bid came to no avail, the Reds revamped their interest following the turn of the year as Coutinho sealed his move to Barcelona.
Personal terms have been agreed with Lemar, but his £88million asking-price remains too steep for Liverpool’s liking, according to Yahoo Sport.
Lemar doesn’t necessarily represent a like-for-like replacement for Coutinho, but offers the pace and directness perfectly-suited to Klopp’s counterattacking approach.
Hopes of acquiring him before February were somewhat dashed by Monaco’s insistence they would not sell one of their star players mid-way through the season.
Arsenal are also avid admirers having made a £90million offer in August, making it crucial that Liverpool strive to at least agree a deal in principle this month.
Monday’s demoralising defeat to Swansea doesn’t diminish this squad’s capabilities, but does serve as evidence that it would be wise for Klopp to add to his options in some form this month.
One injury to one of the front three could make for difficult re-adjustment on Klopp’s part.