Arsenal Still In Pole Position For 36M Transfer Despite Two Other Clubs Entering The Race

Arsenal Still In Pole Position For 36M Transfer Despite Two Other Clubs Entering The Race

Arsenal remain favourites to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, according to reports in the French media.

Earlier this week, Lyon’s president Jean Michel Aulas claimed that there were three teams who were interested in the 22-year-old, suggesting that two were looking to sign him before the transfer window closes on Monday:


“Things haven’t enormously advanced. We know that three major clubs are interested in Houssem. Two in the short term. One in the medium term.”

It is thought that Juventus is the other team, along with the Gunners, who have registered an interest in signing Aouar this month, but they are unlikely to match the player’s asking price. The France Under 21 international was originally valued at €60m (£55m) but a deal could now be reached for only €40m (£36m) as Lyon need to sell in order to balance the books.

There is one further complication due to the involvement of Paris Saint-Germain, who are believed to be the third club who are keen on Aouar. The Ligue One champions are unable to sign the Frenchman now but they may table a bid to sign the midfielder on loan, with an obligation to buy next summer.

At the moment, such an offer would not be considered by Lyon so Arsenal remain in pole position to sign Aouar.