Atlético Madrid have made a major splash in the summer transfer market, agreeing a deal to sign versatile attacker Thomas Lemar from AS Monaco.
French sources place the transfer fee between €60 million and €65 million, with talk that the Ligue 1 side will get a hefty percentage of any future Lemar sale. Marca say Atlético will pay €70-80 million, thus making Lemar the most expensive player in Atleti’s history.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a move away from France for many months, but los rojiblancos emerged as the frontrunner when sporting director Andrea Berta traveled to Monaco to negotiate at the start of June. Atleti were eager to get a deal done before the World Cup, where a good tournament may have seen Lemar’s star rise — along with his transfer fee.
Monaco have made clear that there remain details to be worked out, and the player must still pass a medical and sign his contract. But it is expected that a deal for this exciting talent gets wrapped up in the coming days. Lemar is known for his playmaking and ability to play on either wing or through the middle. He won Ligue 1 with Monaco in 2016/17 and played in a Champions League semifinal that season as well.
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Lemar is with Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernández in Russia as the France national team gets set for the World Cup. There has been speculation that signing someone like Lemar would be a key to convincing Griezmann to stay in Madrid, but the striker has yet to make his future known.
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