Shocking! Arsenal’s improved £45m bid for top target rejected by…

According to reports in France, Arsenal have had a third bid of £45m for Thomas Lemar rejected by Monaco.

Thomas Lemar remains the gunner’s next priority target this summer transfer window, but Arsenal have been unsuccessful so far in convincing Monaco to sell.

Two bids for Lemar have already been turned down, and now L’Equipe reports that the Ligue 1 champions have also rejected Wenger’s third bid worth £45m.

However, the French publication also suggests that Monaco are not totally against the idea of selling the young prospect, who netted nine Ligue 1 goals last campaign, but any suitor must be ready to meet the club’s huge demands, with reports suggesting as much as £80m.

Earlier in the week, Monaco’s vice president, Vadim Vasilyev, denied that the 21-year-old was willing to leave, saying the pacey wide-man would still be at the club for the new season.

Monaco’s successful squad from last season has already been partially depleted with three of their top players leaving the club.

Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy have both moved on in big-money deals to Premier League giants Manchester City while Tiemoue Bakayoko signed for Chelsea.

The Arsenal target has also been linked with a move away, with Real Madrid believed to be preparing a world-record transfer, while Fabinho has long been reported to be interesting Premier League giant Manchester United.