Arsenal Are Reluctant To Meet Lyon’s Asking Price For Houssem Aouar

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Arsenal Are Reluctant To Meet Lyon’s Asking Price For Houssem Aouar

The midfielder has been a long-rumoured target for the Gunners, though he is yet to make the move to London.

The 22-year-old has been a regular in the Lyon since breaking into the first team during the 2017/18 season.

Aouar has consistently been one of the best players in Ligue 1 over the last couple of seasons.

Since making his first-team debut in 2017, the midfielder has made 139 appearances for the club in all competitions. In that time he has also scored 24 goals.

His form for Lyon was rewarded with a call-up for France’s U21 side, and he has since been capped 17 times for them.

Aouar was called up to the senior team in August to make his full debut. But the youngster tested positive for COVID-19, so he had to withdraw from the squad.

Arsenal have long been rumoured to be admirers of the midfielder. It is reported that Aouar and Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey remain their top summer targets this window.

But Arsenal’s available funds have been a stumbling block for this deal. Lyon sporting director Juninho confirmed that Arsenal are yet to make an official bid, as cited by the Daily Mirror:

“No, I don’t think so, no offer yet. It seems that Arsenal don’t want to, or can’t invest the price for Houssem, who is our best player.”

The Gunners have already had a busy summer on the transfer front. Gabriel Magalhães has signed for around £27m from French side Lille

Centre-back Pablo Mari has made the move from Brazilian outfit Fluminense. Willian and Cedric Soares have also signed on free transfers from Chelsea and Southampton respectively.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have secured the services of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon forward signed a new three-year-deal with the club on Tuesday.