Liverpool given huge boost in pursuit of top January target

Liverpool have received a huge boost in their pursuit of Thomas Lemar after Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim refused to rule out his departure this month.

Jurgen Klopp has earmarked Lemar as his No.1 priority this month following the £147m departure of Philippe Coutinho and the Frenchman is keen to complete the switch.

It looked like Liverpool would be left frustrated in their pursuit of Lemar after Monaco ruled out his departure at the start of the month, but Jardim has given Klopp’s side renewed hope.

‘We are not used to selling in the winter,” the London Evening Standard quote Jardim as saying on Monday. “But the transfer window lasts until the end of the month and many things can happen.”

Arsenal are also interested in Lemar and are expected to move for the France international when Alexis Sanchez joins Manchester City this month.

The Gunners were snubbed by the 22-year-old in the summer and may miss out again as Lemar favours a move to Liverpool.

Since the start of last season, only three Ligue 1 players have created more goalscoring chances from set-pieces than Lemar (46).