Arsenal’s reported interest in Houssem Aouar is very, very real, according to a journalist.
According to L’Equipe, the Gunners are keen on signing the Lyon midfielder and Edu has already been rebuffed in trying to swap Mateo Guendouzi for the 22-year-old.
The same publication then claimed last week that Arsenal were leading the race for his signature, but the speculation has gone a little cold on this one since.
Right now, all the talk with regards to the North Londoners is about centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes but, according to Fabrizio Romano, those at the Emirates Stadium are certainly still on Aouar’s case.
The Italian has said that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is ‘in love’ with the player, but noted that a potential £62 million valuation could make it ‘difficult’ for him to wind up at the club.
Romano said, while speaking to Lee Gunner’s podcast: “If we speak about Aouar, it will be €60m-€70m, so it will be so difficult to take Aouar. The Arsenal board is in love with Aouar, Mikel Arteta is in love with Aouar, so for sure they will try [to sign him].”
If – and it’s a big IF – he winds up at Arsenal then it’s a gamechanger.
This is a player who helped Lyon to a Champions League semi-final a couple of weeks ago, and a player who Pep Guardiola himself raved about during the first half of last season, describing him as ‘incredible’ [Sky Sports News].
Given he’s only 22, Aouar could be an absolute blinding addition by Arteta and Edu but there’s no getting away from the £62 million that Romano intimated could cause some difficulties.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
