Monaco will not allow star man Thomas Lemar to leave the club in the January transfer window, with speculation both Liverpool and Arsenal are ready to pounce.

The midfielder is one of the hottest properties around but after a fire sale in the summer, the reigning Ligue 1 champions are unwilling to allow any more top players to leave – particularly mid-season.

Red and whites coach Leonardo Jardim is adamant the 22-year-old will remain a Monaco man until at least the end of the campaign and has said he will not be going anywhere this month.

Likewise, Brazilian Fabinho – a long-term target of Manchester United – will also be prevented from leaving should a big bid come in.

“Monaco are not in the habit of making big sales in the winter. It’s our strategy. The players understand and they know how it goes here,” Jardim said.