According to latest reports, Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar as Mauricio Pochettino looks to beef up his bench going into yet another hectic season in two months. The 21-year-old French international has been one of the many Monaco starlets who have caught the attention with some phenomenal displays in Ligue 1 as well as in the Champions League in the recent season.
With star winger Bernardo Silva already making his big move to Manchester City last week, Lemar might be the next player to come to the Premier League. Tottenham have been one of the strongest sides in the league this season. Though they lost out on the title to Chelsea in the second last week of the campaign, under Pochettino, the Lilywhites have emerged as a potential European superpower with a young side who could play at the top level for almost half a decade.
While having such an established side means that Pochettino will hardly have any worries about strengthening the first-team, the bench still remains a huge concern for the club. Thanks to the likes of Heung Min-Son, Harry Winks and more, the Spurs managed it through a crucial midseason the last term. However, things won’t remain perfect all the time and with injuries creeping in sooner or later, the bench will have to step up in some crucial games.
The likes of Son, Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen have been phenomenal with their versatile roles in the attacking third, but honestly, Pochettino has no one to replace them in those positions as and when needed. After the massive investment on Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle United last season resulted in a total failure, a winger remains Spurs’ first priority this season. And Lemar looks fit for the requirement.
He has scored an impressive 14 goals and assisted 17 times for Monaco in all competition. His brilliant Champions League display, where he was directly involved in seven goals for the side, is exactly what Tottenham are looking for. At only 21, he could be a terrific long-term investment if Spurs manage to land him.
A youth product of French side SM Caen, Monaco picked up Lemar in the summer of 2015. He was an instant hit and his consistency finally got him a call-up in the France national team last year in November. He has played for them twice since then.
But, Pochettino will have to battle the likes of Manchester United, Premier League Champions Chelsea and Serie A Champions Juventus his signature. With the FIFA World Cup 2018 knocking on the door, Lemar would want more first-team action from any side he moves, which only Tottenham can give, among his suitors.
