Arsenal are reportedly readying a fresh bid to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, who is expected to cost only £20 million this summer.
According to The Sun, Arsenal are ready to re-enter the market for Houssem Aouar. The Premier League giants were earlier priced out of a move for the Lyon starlet, but are ready to revisit the negotiations in an attempt to sign the midfielder for a cut-price fee.
Last summer, Aouar was valued at around £55 million, thanks to a splendid 2019/20 campaign. This time around, the youngster could be available for as low as £20 million following Lyon’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, as well as the current financial climate in Europe.
Aouar himself endured a difficult season in France, starting with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 that derailed his campaign. The player lacked form in the early parts of 2020/21, which coincided with Lyon’s disastrous start to the season, as they secured just one win in the first six matches.
The 22-year-old, as a result, was snubbed by Didier Deschamps from the France squad competing in the ongoing UEFA European Championships. The Frenchman also produced underwhelming performances in the Under-21 Euro, as Les Bleus were knocked out of the quarter-finals by Netherlands Under-21.
Aouar’s poor 2020/21 season, however, has not deterred Arsenal, who are in the hunt for a new midfielder as Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard have returned to Real Madrid following the end of their respective loan spells.
Even Granit Xhaka has been linked with a move to AS Roma, with Jose Mourinho reportedly keen on his services. The Swiss international, therefore, could join the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira through the exit door at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta already promising Arsenal fans to “ruthlessly” undergo a squad overhaul in the summer.
The Spanish tactician appears to have identified Aouar as an ideal addition to the midfield unit that requires variety. The Frenchman’s ball-carrying ability, in that regard, should combine well with the more robust and defensive nature of Thomas Partey, ultimately adding another dimension in the middle of the park for Arsenal.
UEFA Euro 2020 Group F: France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary| THT Preview
Aouar’s disappointing form might be a cause for concern for Arsenal fans, but a fee of just £20 million potentially makes him an absolute bargain for the Gunners as they look to continue their squad overhaul in the summer.
