According to L’Equipe, Arsenal would’ve lost out on Houssem Aouar to Juventus if Federico Bernardeschi hadn’t performed a drastic U-turn.
The respected French news outlet reveal that Juventus had agreed a deal with Lyon for the midfielder, but they needed to trim their wage bill before bringing the France international to Turin.
L’Equipe state that Juventus needed to shed €6 million in wages (£5.4 million).
They planned to do that by loaning Bernardeschi – who cost them £35 million – to Lyon, and signing Aouar in a €55 million (£49.6 million) deal.
However, the Italy international changed his mind on a move to France the next day according to L’Equipe, despite the fact that Aouar was already ‘imagining’ himself playing for the Serie A champions.
Luckily for Arsenal, that means the 22-year-old is still up for grabs.
The Athletic (via the Daily Mail) reveal that Mikel Arteta hasn’t given up on Aouar, and the Lyon-born maestro tops the Gunners’ summer transfer wishlist.
The Lyon No.8 doesn’t appear to have let the transfer speculation affect his performances.
He has made eight appearances in Ligue 1 this season, scoring two goals and recording one assist.
He did, however, refuse to train after being left on the bench for a game against Angers, which led to him being disciplined.
With January on the horizon, this saga seems like one to keep an eye on.
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