Arsenal have been linked to a plethora of Premier League players in the last few weeks, but it looks like they also have their eye on a former target from France.
According to The Sun, Arsenal are preparing a £100,000 per week contract to offer Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar. It is thought that the 22-year-old could cost as little as £20million.
That reduced price tag comes just one year year after Lyon turned down an Arsenal bid of £35million, saying it was ‘too far from his value’ (The Guardian).
The current footballing financial climate has left Lyon and other French clubs in a tricky financial situation. Lyon’s inability to qualify for the Champions League has only made that worse.
Aouar is one of Lyon’s most marketable assets, but the big money demand for the player has not rolled in yet. Arsenal could take advantage of Lyon’s poor financial situation in order to capture an extremely talented young player.
Speaking before Lyon’s last game of the season, Aouar admitted: “This could be my last game for the club.”
Arsenal are definitely looking for midfield reinforcements this summer and given the fact they bid for Aouar just one year ago, the opportunity to sign him for nearly half the price of their rejected bid, may be too hard to turn their noses up at.