Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly ready to rival Arsenal in pursuit of Houssem Aouar, who is available for just €25 million this summer.
According to ESPN, Manchester United and Liverpool have joined the race to sign Houssem Aouar. Lyon are expected to cash in on their midfielder this summer, with €25 million reportedly enough to consider a potential exit.
Arsenal are believed to be in pole position to sign Aouar this summer. The Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates last year but is ready to make the switch this time around. The Gunners themselves should not have much difficulty affording the €25 million, especially after sanctioning Matteo Guendouzi’s loan move to Marseille.
However, the addition of Manchester United and Liverpool in this transfer saga could turn out to be problematic for Mikel Arteta. Liverpool, in particular, are desperately scouring the market for a new midfielder after Georginio Wijnaldum joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
The Reds have been linked with a move for multiple talented midfielders, including Nicolo Barella. But in Aouar, Liverpool could find themselves a cost-effective option who has a similar level of pedigree at the highest level of football. However, Liverpool’s relationship with Lyon is reportedly in tatters after Nabil Fekir’s botched move to Anfield a few years ago.
That does not deter Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp from eyeing a move for Aouar, whose 170 competitive appearances for Les Gones make him a significant experience operator at the highest level of football. The Frenchman did not have a particularly impressive 2020/21 campaign, but it was a minor blip in an otherwise glittering career.
Manchester United are aware of that as well, as they plot a move for the 23-year-old this summer. It seems Aouar has been identified as a direct replacement for Paul Pogba, who faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford. Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the ex-Juventus star, who made quite an impression at UEFA Euro 2020.
However, it is Arsenal’s race to lose, having been linked with a move for Aouar for a long time now. With Guendouzi, Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard gone, the Gunners need the Frenchman now more than ever, so it will be up to them to move swiftly in the market and secure the services of the Lyon ace, who is more than capable of solving Arteta’s problems in the middle of the park.
