Liverpool are leading the race to sign Olympique Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, amid interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
According to the latest report from Le10Sport, Liverpool have emerged as a shock favourite in the race to sign Houssem Aouar. There has been some crucial developments in the pursuit of the Olympique Lyon midfielder, who was expected to leave the club for a fee of around €20 million to €25 million this summer.
However, newly-appointed manager Peter Bosz is apparently keen on retaining the services of the midfielder. But with the club in dire need of financial injection, president Jean-Michel Aulas has decided to increase Aouar’s asking to €30 million to €35 million, with Liverpool now in the driver’s seat.
Other clubs involved in the pursuit of Aouar is Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal, whose lack of participation in European football next season could hinder their chances of signing the highly talented Frenchman. Not to mention, the Gunners have recently brought in Albert Sambi Lokonga from RSC Anderlecht.
Tottenham’s hopes of signing Aouar also depends on whether or not they manage to find an ideal suitor for Harry Kane, one that can match their hefty valuation for the Englishman. Manchester City have shown interest so far, but the north London giants have reportedly rejected their initial bid.
As for Manchester United, their pursuit of the Lyon midfielder hinges on the future of Paul Pogba. Having signed Donny van de Beek last month, the Red Devils have a stacked creative department, featuring the likes of him, Bruno Fernandes, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Pogba himself.
Therefore, United must offload at least one or two of their star players, with Pogba emerging as the likeliest candidate. Real Madrid have emerged as one of the keen to acquire the services of the French international this summer.
Either way, the complicated nature of Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal have made Liverpool the frontrunner in the race to sign Aouar. Unlike their rivals, the Reds do not need to offload star players in order to accommodate the 23-year-old this summer.
Jurgen Klopp is known to be a huge admirer of Aouar and courted him back in 2019. This time around, the German is intent on signing him as a direct replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who left Anfield in favour of a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Merseyside do indeed pay Lyon’s asking price for Aouar. But with the midfielder’s contract expiring in 2023, there is certainly an avenue for them to potentially lower Les Gones’ €30 million valuation.
