Arsenal has reportedly begun negotiations withFrench outfit Olympique Lyon over the signing of star midfielder Houssem Aouar.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal has held discussions with Olympique Lyon for a move for the Frenchman who is considered as Mikel Arteta’s primary target.
Arsenal continues to surge into the transfer market as Mikel Arteta hopes to build his ideal Gunners side and bolster the squad for the forthcoming season.
Since his debut in 2016, Aouar has grown into one of the most entertaining midfielders across Europe.
Aouar was part of a Lyon side that shocked the world in the 2019 Champions League campaign after the French side knocked out Juventus and Manchester City in succession to reach the competition’s semi-finals.
A plethora of top clubs across Europe are keeping tabs on the Lyon star, with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola keen on bring him to the Etihad while Juventus continues to monitor his situation.
Lyon sporting director, Juninho, has hinted the club might sell the 23-year-old in light of the coronavirus crisis.
Speaking to Le10 Sport, he said: “In the absence of arrivals, I rather think that there will be departures.
“Houssem Aouar? When you have great players in the squad, it is quite logical that other bigger teams and with greater economic power come to seek those players.
“There is a risk of losing important players. If we lose important players, I have already spoken with the president, we will have the right to balance the squad.”
Sky Sport’s Fabrizio Romano revealed in an interview that Arsenal would have to pay about €60m or €70m to pen Aouar’s signature, however, head coach Arteta and the Arsenal board are in love with the Frenchman.
“I think it’s difficult about Aouar because we were speaking about €50million for Thomas Partey,” Romano told Lee Gunner in a YouTube interview.
“If we speak about Aouar we are speaking about €60m or €70m, so it will be so difficult to take Aouar.
“For sure what I can guarantee is that the Arsenal board is in love with Aouar, Mikel Arteta is also in love with Aouar.
“For sure they will try but many other clubs have tried, there are rumors here in Italy with Juventus.”
