Arsenal are set to face a massive setback in their pursuit of Houssem Aouar as PSG reignite their interest in the Olympique Lyon midfielder.
As if a disastrous start to the campaign wasn’t enough, Arsenal fans could be dealt with a further blow – this time it’s about their market activity as the latest report from Daily Mail suggests that the club’s pursuit of Houssem Aouar now faces a huge setback due to Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in the player.
The Olympique Lyon midfielder was linked with a move to the French capital in the summer, but a move did not materialise due to financial complications brought upon by the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Arsenal had an excellent opportunity of snatching his services, but they too ultimately had to settle for Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid.
However, it appears PSG are now ready to re-ignite their interest in Aouar and the club’s hierarchy, including sporting director Leonardo Araujo is eyeing a move for the Frenchman in the summer of 2021.
The French giants should additionally expect competition as well, with Manchester City and Juventus also keen on securing his services. It is hardly surprising either, as Aouar was one of the top performers in Europe last season, notably guiding Lyon to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League.
Aouar’s current contract at Olympique Lyon expires in 2023 so he could still cost a fortune. His potential price-tag, however, should be the least of concerns for Arsenal at the moment given their awful start to the campaign that sees them dawdle on the wrong end of the table. It makes them a very unappealing destination not just for the French international but for any top-class player in European football.
The Gunners will thus have to shift their attention towards other alternatives – players who would be willing to join them in search of game-time and a chance to redeem himself. One such player could be Real Madrid outcast Isco, who has been linked with a loan move to Emirates in the upcoming January transfer window.
Ideally, however, Arsenal must prioritise performances over players. They need to successfully recover from this barren start and at least enter the top fight before they can make a move for any player on the counter. As such, the upcoming stretch of games in December could be really important for Mikel Arteta’s men, who are set to host Southampton on Wednesday.
