Arsenal have been linked with a move for French midfielder Houssem Aouar all summer and now it seems the Gunners may get their man in the final week of the window.
French football expert Jonathan Johnson told Sky Sports on Tuesday that Lyon are ‘putting pressure’ on Arsenal to improve their bid to sign midfielder Aouar. Interestingly Johnson also says that the imminent arrival of Lucas Paqueta at Lyon is likely to see players leave Lyon, with Aouar mentioned as a possible departure.
It was reported today from sources in France that Lyon had agreed a 20million euro deal for Paqueta.
Reports in France and Italy that Lyon have an agreement for Paqueta is good news for Arsenal and Aouar. Paqueta would be Aouar’s replacement. Talks continue today between Lyon and Arsenal, no agreement yet.
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) September 29, 2020
Lyon president Aulas has been very outspoken about Aouar’s situation. Speaking to Canal Plus most recently, on Sunday evening, Aulas was asked how much he was looking for in order to sell Aouar. He said ‘it is certainly more than the first number that you mentioned (40m euros)’.
Aulas also commented on Arsenal’s bid for Aouar last week: “There was a timid offer. We felt like either they didn’t consider the fact that this is a player in the French national team. So it was not an offer that was even susceptible to making us consider a sale.”
According to The Times, the offer Aulas mentions was worth around 38.5million euros.
It seems a deal at around £40million (44million euros) could be struck in this final week of the window, as Aulas is so open about selling and a replacement is now in. But the amount of the deal is unlikely to be the major sticking point in this one. The biggest discussion point will be the structure of any deal, with selling clubs often looking for more upfront, but Arsenal and many buying clubs, often opt to pay in instalments.
This is a deal I personally think will happen. It seems there is a willingness from all three parties (Lyon, the player and Arsenal) for a deal to be done.