Liverpool transfer news: Reds on verge of Thomas Lemar deal

Champions League quarter-finalists Liverpool are “on the verge of agreeing a deal” for Monaco star Thomas Lemar, according to the Daily Express.

The Reds, who last night saw off Porto’s challenge to progress from the last 16, have long been linked to the 22-year-old midfielder, as have Arsenal. But with the Gunners melting faster than a snowman on the Holloway Road it’s now only Liverpool who have the status to attract a player of Lemar’s ambition.

Taking their cue from French outlet Le 10 Sport, the Express says Liverpool are “are on the verge of agreeing a fee with Monaco”.

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Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of his admiration for the French international and he is believed to have made an advance last summer. That is said to have floundered on the asking price, with reports suggesting that Monaco are holding out for a bid in the region of £88m for the France international.

Only time will tell if that is the case but the Express says that the Reds “have made progress with negotiations in recent weeks”, and according to Le 10 Sport a deal could be concluded in the coming weeks.

Lemar has two years remaining on his contract at Stade Louis II and the only possible obstacle in Liverpool’s path could be a big money bid from Atletico Madrid, who are apparently also plotting a move for Lemar as a possible replacement for Antoine Griezmann in the summer.

Griezmann was last week linked with Barcelona, Spanish sources alleging that a verbal deal has already been agreed. But the Express says that Liverpool are confident of securing Lemar and all that remains is to agree personal terms, but that “shouldn’t prove difficult as he is said to prefer a move to Anfield”.