Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has addressed rumors linking Thomas Lemar with a potential transfer away from his club. The Argentine manager has stated that the French midfielder has not developed to the level that he would have expected him to reach when he first joined from AS Monaco.
Having moved to the Wanda Metropolitano in 2018, Lemar has failed to cement a spot as a regular in the Madrid outfit and has had a number of injury spells concurrently. A couple of summers ago Arsenal was believed to be interested in the World Cup winner's recruitment and per the specuulations, the Gunners could potentially secure his service should they rekindle their interest.
New rumors have suggested that Tottenham Hotspur is now interested in signing the attacker and could well enter a two-battle with their cross-town rivals for his service this month. Ahead Atletico's La Liga clash with Levante over the weekend, Simeone handed both clubs a boost in their pursuit of the 24-year-old by addressing his future.
He declared: "Lemar is an important player who hasn't been able to develop his game but who has characteristics that others don't have.
"If Lemar can stay or not... we know that agents work in an exemplary way.
"Clubs work in terms of the needs of the clubs. But, as a footballer, every time he has been available, he's played a lot more than he hasn't played.
"His characteristics have always excited me. But he hasn't been able to live up to expectations.
"Let's hope he has a good moment when he comes back from injury."
