Thomas Lemar: Tottenham offered chance to sign Atletico Madrid outcast on loan this month

French international is keen to move in January after falling out of favour under Diego Simeone

Tom Kershaw
Tuesday 07 January 2020 11:15 GMT
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Tottenham Hotspur are considering making a loan approach for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Lemar with a €60m option-to-buy.

The Independent understands a loan fee of around €6m is being touted to bring the French international to north London, with Lemar keen to move in January after falling out of favour under Diego Simeone.

Spurs are just one of several top European clubs weighing up a move for the 24-year-old, with Arsenal also monitoring Lemar’s situation.

Lemar, who came close to joining Arsenal in the summer of 2017, has scored just three goals in 64 appearances since joining Atletico from Monaco for £52.7m.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has made little effort to quell speculation that Lemar, who is keen to cement his place in France’s Euro 2020 squad, could leave the club in January and admitted the winger has failed to “live up to expectations”.

“If Lemar can stay or not... we know that agents work in an exemplary way,” Simeone said in a recent press conference. “Clubs work in terms of the needs of the clubs. But, as a footballer, every time he has been available, he’s played a lot more than he hasn’t played.

“His characteristics have always excited me. But he hasn’t been able to live up to expectations.

“Let’s hope he has a good moment when he comes back from injury.”

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