Barcelona may not be giving up in their pursuit of Philippe Coutinho, but the Catalan giants aren't ruling out alternative options in case they once again fail to convince Liverpool to part with the Brazilian playmaker.
The La Liga leaders tried in vain all summer to bring the 25-year-old to the Camp Nou, but the Anfield club steadfastly refused to part with their star player, perhaps still bitter about Barca prising Luis Suarez away from them, three years ago.
In the end, La Blaugrana ended up parting with £135 million for Ousmane Dembele, although the Frenchman then almost immediately injured himself and was ruled out for four months. Not that Dembele's injury has hindered Ernesto Valverde's team in any way, as they lead La Liga by four points after winning nine of their opening 10 league games.
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And, should Barca once again prove unsuccessful in landing the former Internazionale youngster, they will turn their attention towards Arsenal's top target, Thomas Lemar.
Lemar has become one of the hottest properties in European football after a scintillating campaign with Monaco, last season. Image: PA
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The Telegraph have reported that not only will the Camp Nou club go after Lemar should a move for Coutinho not materialise but also that, if it does, the Reds themselves will eye the Monaco winger as a replacement for the Brazilian, which could also prove problematic for Arsenal, who almost signed the 21-year-old on transfer deadline day as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez, who was thought to be going to Manchester City.
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However, as we all know now, everything went utterly tits up for the Gunners on deadline day and Lemar's £90 million switch to North London didn't come to fruition, leaving Sanchez likely to leave the Emirates Stadium either on the cheap in January or for free next summer.
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With Sanchez's impending departure in mind, Lemar is still very much figuring into Arsene Wenger's future transfer plans, yet potential competition from Barcelona and Liverpool could scupper all of those plans.
(H/T The Telegraph)
Topics: Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, Philippe Coutinho, Thomas Lemar, Arsenal, Liverpool FC
