Arsenal close the door on move for Monaco man; Mustafi update

Rob McCarthy

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has closed the door completely on a move for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar and also given an update on Shkodran Mustafi’s future.

The Gunners boss was speaking at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool, admitting that any potential deal for Lemar will not happen because of his former club’s stance.

“It’s dead because Monaco have closed the door definitely,” the Gunners chief admitted.

As for Mustafi, who has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and Juventus, leaving before the transfer window closes on August 31, Wenger added: “No I don’t expect… It’s difficult for me to talk about any individual cases.

“It’s always very difficult to predict what will happen and how will you respond to any solicitation.”

Not exactly a flat out denial that the player, who only joined from Valencia for £35million last summer, could leave but it would weaken an area of the Arsenal team that is far from convincing at the best of times.