ATLETICO MADRID will try to sign Thomas Lemar if they lose Antoine Griezmann in the summer, according to reports.
Griezmann is a target for Barcelona, who are ready to meet striker’s £86million buy-out clause.
And, while the Rojiblancos are still hopeful of keeping hold of their No 7, they are preparing for the worst.
Andrea Belotti has been tipped as a possible replacement — and now Mundo Deportivo report Arsenal and Liverpool target Lemar is also on Atletico’s radar.
The Monaco ace is expected to leave the Principality side in the summer, and Diego Simeone has been a long-term admirer.
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Atletico scouts watched him in action during a friendly in Switzerland against Lugano as far back as 2016.
And they even reportedly had a bid of £17.7m plus Yannick Carrasco — who they signed from Monaco — knocked back.
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Arsenal had come close to signing Lemar last summer as the prepared for the sale of Alexis Sanchez, but couldn’t agree a deal with Monaco.While Liverpool were looking at him as Barcelona’s interest in Philippe Coutinho grew.
Griezmann is likely to leave the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer, but Atletico are planning on offering him a new mega deal to keep him at the club.