Thomas Lemar reveals how he reacted to not joining Liverpool or Arsenal

Posted Monday, March 26, 2018 by givemesport.com

Monaco's 2016-17 title-winning squad was picked apart last summer, from Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko to Bernardo Silva and Kylian Mbappe.

However, one man who ended up staying with the Ligue 1 champions was exciting winger Thomas Lemar, having recorded an impressive 14 goals and 17 assists.

Liverpool were unsuccessful in their attempt to sign the Frenchman, and then boss Jurgen Klopp decided not to sign a replacement when Philippe Coutinho joined Barcelona in January.

Another club that was linked with a big-money move for Lemar was Arsenal, and that speculation only intensified when Alexis Sanchez joined rivals Manchester United.

With his future set to be up in the air again this summer, Lemar has now revealed how he reacted when he failed to secure a January move to either Liverpool or Arsenal back in January.

LEMAR'S 2017-18 CAMPAIGN

Playing more in a central attacking midfield role than out wide, Lemar has scored three goals and provided eight assists in 29 matches for Monaco so far this season.

The 22-year-old also looks set to make France's World Cup squad after establishing himself in Didier Deschamps' starting XI and scoring in the 3-2 loss to Colombia on Friday.

HOW LEMAR REACTED TO NO JANUARY DEAL

Opening up about his future, Lemar has admitted that he felt disappointed when neither Liverpool nor Arsenal put in a definitive offer to sign him in the most recent transfer window.

The skillful attacker told Telefoot, via Liverpool Echo: "Regrets? Maybe. I'm not going to hide it, I was a little disappointed (when the two Premier League clubs didn't try to sign him).

"Once it's over, it's over, so I try not to think about it. I've kept working (hard) so that these clubs come back during the next transfer window."

The France international continued: "I am open to all offers. I am a football player, I like football. I do not close any door."

Given that Lemar is likely to feature heavily in his country's World Cup campaign, it would come as no surprise if he completed a transfer away from Les Monegasques in the summer.