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Arsenal have given up hope of signing Monaco winger Thomas Lemar which could see Arsene Wenger step up his interest in Riyad Mahrez.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirmed that Monaco have “closed the door” on 21-year-old Lemar, after having three bids rejected by the French club.

Arsenal are understood to be interested in Leicester City’s wantaway winger Mahrez but that Lemar had been their first choice.

“It’s dead because Monaco has closed the door,” said Wenger. “They’ve already lost Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva (both to Manchester City) and Tiémoué Bakayoko (to Chelsea), so Monaco is at a stage where they have closed the door.”

(Image: Getty Images)

Wenger confirmed his interest in Mahrez earlier this summer, but said he had “not yet” made a bid for Leicester City’s wantaway winger although did admit that it “could happen”.

The Arsenal boss has said this week that he is happy with the strength of his squad, but admitted he could look to add to more players if any of his current side left before the transfer deadline.

The future of Alexis Sanchez remains in doubt, while Chelsea are reported to be interested in signing winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“I’m happy with the strength of the squad,” he said. “I have said many times that we have too many players in our squad, and some of them have no chance to compete for places because we have too many.

“It depends how many players will go to see if we can bring one more in. We are on alert in the last seven days.”

If Arsenal were to move their attentions to Mahrez, they would have to stump up nearly £50million for the winger, before the window closes next Thursday.

Leicester have no desire to sell Mahrez, who has made an excellent start to the season, and have rejected three bids from Serie A side Roma, the latest of which was about £32m.

Former Leicester and Arsenal striker Alan Smith has previously urged Wenger to step up his interest in Mahrez, who he believes is the “match-winner” that the Gunners need.