Arsene Wenger refuses to rule out Thomas Lemar move in January but says NO to Riyad Mahrez

ARSENE WENGER has refused to rule out entirely a move for Thomas Lemar in January.

But the Arsenal boss has categorically stated that Leicester’s Premier League winner Riyad Mahrez is NOT part of his transfer plans.

Monaco midfielder Lemar was linked with a switch to the Emirates all summer.

But Wenger failed with a stunning £92million move for the 21-year-old France star on deadline day.

Barcelona and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Lemar.

And Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev recently admitted the club may need to flog one of their brightest stars – but not until next summer.

Speaking today ahead of the Europa League clash against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday, Wenger refused to shut the door entirely on Lemar having a future in North London.

Asked about going back in for the attacking force, the Frenchman said: “No, at the moment I have a big squad and the problem for me is to keep everyone together until the end of the season.

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“In January, I don’t know yet.”

However the Emirates chief was more certain on Mahrez.

The former Premier League Player of the Year has looked a shadow of himself since the Foxes’ unbelievable 5,000-1 triumph.

And despite showing the occasional flash of brilliance, it looks like there will be no January switch for him.

Asked about the chance of Mahrez featuring in Arsenal’s transfer plans, Wenger said simply: “No.”