Liverpool may be forced back to the drawing board in their pursuit of a replacement for Philippe Coutinho as Monaco star Thomas Lemar’s preference is to join Barcelona, claims The Daily Mirror.
Lemar turned down a move to Arsenal in the summer after it was reported that he wanted to work under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield but Liverpool refused to match their rivals’ £90m offer.
The France international has emerged as a top transfer target for Liverpool in the wake of Coutinho’s departure at the start of the month but Lemar appears to have had a change of heart.
Barcelona are reportedly plotting one more big money signing at the end of the season to complete a stunning overhaul of their offensive options, with Atletico Madrd’s Antoine Griezmann heavily linked.
However, Lemar has set his sights on filling the vacant No.7 shirt at the Camp Nou, which may force Liverpool to re-evaluate their plans.
The 22-year-old has only played a direct hand in six goals in 15 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco this season (two goals, four assists) as he struggles to reproduce last term’s stunning performances.
