Arsenal continue to be interested in Houssem Aouar, Lyon want £53.5 million

Arsenal continue to be interested in signing Houssem Aouar, according to Fabrizio Romano in an interview with AFTV.

The Gunners are keen on rebuilding their midfield and Mikel Arteta is said to be a big admirer of Aouar. He was a shining light in Lyon’s run to the Champions League semi final last season. He scored nine goals and provided ten assists in 41 appearances across all competitions in the 2019/20 campaign. 

Lyon want to sell the player for £53.5 million in the current transfer window. This valuation is likely to pose a challenge to Arsenal’s efforts to sign him. They will have to sell players in order to be in the running to sign Aouar. They are understood to have held talks with his agents but any deal for the player is not advanced at this point in time.

Aouar is a Lyon academy graduate. He joined the French club’s academy at the age of 11 and made his debut for the senior side in 2017. The French midfielder has scored 24 goals and provided 27 assists in 137 games for Lyon. 

The Gunners were reported to have offered cash in addition to Matteo Guendouzi for the Frenchman. That bid did not convince Lyon to part with their prized asset.