Arsenal transfer news: Alexis Sanchez could be sent to Monaco as a makeweight for Thomas Lemar

ARSENAL are so desperate to land Thomas Lemar in January that are considering using Alexis Sanchez as a makeweight to tempt the French principality to sell.

Arsene Wenger is convinced that the Chilean striker will not sign a new contract at the Emirates, with his current deal set to expire next summer.

The 28-year-old wanted to quit during the transfer window, and was left devestated after a £60m switch to Manchester City failed to materialise on deadline day.

The Gunners were close to signing Lemar in a stunning £92m move to replace him, but could not get the deal over the line.

Wenger will now go back in for the French winger in January, and with Sanchez out of contract in six-months, could tempt Monaco with him.

The Emirates chief does not want to sell to another Premier League rival, and would rather lose him to a club in Europe.

Monaco were interested in signing the ex-Barcelona ace in the summer, and would be keen to have him on their books.

It was understood the Ligue 1 champions were lining up a £45m offer for the 28-year-old.

Reports overnight suggested Arsenal had already agreed a £92m deal for Lemar, on a five-year contract worth £250,000-a-week.

Those claims are understood to be short of the mark though, and terms have not yet been thrashed out between the two clubs.

City boss Pep Guardiola will also tempt Arsenal in January with a £20m offer for Sanchez.