Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev admits they may be forced to sell star duo Thomas Lemar and Fabinho next summer

MONACO vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has admitted they may be forced to sell star duo Thomas Lemar and Fabinho next summer.

Vasilyev also revealed they would not join the chase for Arsenal ace Alexis Sanchez - a free agent in July 2018 - as they wouldn't be able to afford his wages.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Vasilyev revealed all about their transfer dealings, with the VP claiming "it's right to let players go."

The Russian revealed the was a "fair chance" Lemar would leave, having barely clung onto him in the 2017 window, with mega-money bids coming in from Arsenal and Liverpool.

Vasilyev also claimed: "Liverpool were really interested. But it was Arsenal that was really close to finalising deal."

Another player set to leave the Stade Louis II is Fabinho - a summer target for Manchester United.

On the Brazilian midfielder, Vasilyev claimed: "He's a key player. But we realise at a certain moment it's right to let players go."

With Gunners star Sanchez currently set to be available for pre-contract negotiations in January, Vasilyev revealed the Ligue 1 giants may not waste their own time.

He claimed: "He's a fantastic player but probably his salary is too much for us."

During the summer window alone, there was something of a mass exodus in Monaco.

Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva both joined Manchester City, Tiemoue Bakayoko headed to Chelsea, while FIVE more players left.

Monaco were considered lucky to cling onto Fabinho and Lemar given the interest, but they now appear dead-certs to walk away from club sooner rather than later.

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