Monaco remain adamant that Thomas Lemar will not be sold even amid a third bid from Arsenal for around £45 million.

The French champions have made a series of player sales this summer but the plan has been to keep Lemar, who is also seen as important in their attempts to persuade Kylian Mbappe to extend his contract amid Real Madrid’s willingness to break the world transfer record.

Arsenal believe that the 18-year-old Mbappe, who has become the most sought-after player in world football, will stay but have still not given up on Lemar.