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Liverpool have a firm interest in Monaco forward Thomas Lemar but are yet to make formal bid for the 21-year-old, sources have told ESPN FC. Reports in France have suggested that Liverpool have lodged a club record £55.5 million offer for the France international, who has been a long-standing target for Arsenal this summer. With the transfer window closing at 11 p.m. BST on Aug. 31, Liverpool are now assessing the likelihood of a successful bid for Lemar following Arsene Wenger's claim last week that Arsenal have ended their interest due to Monaco's refusal to sell the player. Should Liverpool make a confirmed move for Lemar, they will face the complication of negotiating a deal in the wake of France coach Didier Deschamps insisting that players will not be able to leave the squad from Monday onwards as they do not want to disrupt preparations for Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Netherlands in Paris. Lemar linked up with the France squad on Monday, leaving Liverpool little time to complete a deal unless Deschamps backs down from his stance on players having to remain with the national team this week. While Liverpool are in the market for squad reinforcements ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline, a potential move for Lemar is not linked to the future of Philippe Coutinho and Barcelona's determination to sign the Brazilian.
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