Barcelona accelerate move for Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar
The Blaugrana have contacted both Monaco and the player
Liverpool are also keen on signing the French international
The close we get to the closing of the transfer window, the more negotiations take place. Barça have accelerated contact on Wednesday for Thomas Lemar, who would be the replacement for Philippe Coutinho if Liverpool don't sell.
Lemar and Paulo Dybala are the options the club have looked at as Coutinho alternatives, but the French player's profile is more in line with what they're looking for. Also, he would likely be cheaper and more attainable than the Juventus forward.
The French winger, 21, has a price of around 80 million euros, which is what Liverpool have offered. Barça have entered on the scene with the objective of doing a deal if Liverpool block any Coutinho deal.
Lemar has been at Monaco for two seasons after joining from Caen in 2015 for just four million euros. His market price, per Transfermarkt, is 24 million euros, but the interest and the current market has seen that shoot up.
On Wednesday, Barça made contact with the player and Monaco to find out their chances of signing him. The result was positive on both sides.
While Coutinho is still the priority, the possibility of being left without the Brazilian has led Barça to explore Plan B, which is more Lemar than Dybala as things stand. In addition, Juve would be reluctant to lose the Argentine at this stage.
