Speaking on The Done Deal Show, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Arsenal would rather sign James Maddison or Martin Odegaard than Houssem Aouar.
It’s no secret that Arsenal are desperate to get a midfielder through the door this summer.
Mesut Ozil has left, Odegaard’s loan spell is over, so the Gunners need to add some creativity to this side.
Aouar is a player that has been linked for a long time, but according to O’Rourke, he’s only third on their list of targets.
What’s been said?
O’Rourke gave an update on Arsenal’s interest in Aouar.
“We know Arsenal have held a long term interest in the French midfielder, but there are other priorities higher in the list than Arsenal, that’s not to say he isn’t on that list, but they’re interested in James Maddison and Martin Odegaard and then Aouar is probably third on that list. If Arsenal can’t make a breakthrough for Maddison or Odegaard then we might see a bid from Arsenal for Aouar, I know his agents are still talking with Arsenal about a potential deal. it’s one that’s on the backburner right now, but I wouldn’t rule it out,” O’Rourke said.
May regret it
If Arsenal don’t push for a deal to sign Aouar, they may live to regret it.
The Frenchman is a player the Gunners have wanted for a long time now, and if reports are to be believed, he’s available for a bargain fee of just €25m (£21m) this summer.
Would he be better than either Maddison or Odegaard? Well, that’s up for debate, but with Aouar available at such a modest fee, it’s hard to argue that he wouldn’t provide value for money.
Perhaps Arsenal should rethink their stance on this one.
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