Arsenal face Thomas Lemar transfer battle as Tottenham 'consider loan move'
Tottenham reportedly want to sign France winger Lemar on loan for rest of season in bid to beat rivals Arsenal to January transfer target
Arsenal are battling rivals Tottenham to sign Thomas Lemar from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, according to latest reports.
Atletico are reportedly looking to offload
Lemar following a disappointing spell at the Wanda Metropolitano, with the winger having made just nine La Liga starts this season.
The 24-year-old France international has been subbed off before the hour mark in his last two appearances, and Atletico appear keen to cash in on interest from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
But now
Tottenham have also joined the race for Lemar, who joined Atletico from Monaco for £63million in July 2018.
That is according to
Foot Mercato , who claim that Tottenham do not have the funds for a January transfer so are hoping to take Lemar on loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy in the summer.
On Thursday it was reported that Atletico had
called on super agent Jorge Mendes to try and broker a deal to send Lemar to
Arsenal .
Lemar almost joined the Gunners in 2018 before plumping for Atletico.
Spanish outlet
Marca claimed the club had called on Mendes, their "most trusted agent" to work on an exit strategy with Arsenal named as their best hope.
Lemar's name is believed to have been mentioned by club scouts as they eye winter targets having watched him closely in the past.
Arsenal boss Arteta was set for a meeting with club chiefs on Thursday to discuss their plans now the January window is open.
But it is as yet unclear whether they will fund a potentially expensive move for midfielder Lemar, with improvements in defence considered to be the priority for the Gunners in this window.
Arsenal are currently 10th in the Premier League, nine points off a top-four spot, and have the joint-worst goals conceded record in the top half of the table, along with Tottenham.
The Gunners host Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday.