Arsenal are preparing a €25m (£21.5m) offer for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Frenchman has been on the London club’s radar for some time, with the Gunners having previously tried to sign him last year, and it appears they are lining up another attempt to secure his signature.

Calciomercato say Aouar is an alternative for Manuel Locatelli, although that has since been contradicted by the more reliable Gianluca Di Marzio who has said that Arsenal are targeting Wolves’ Ruben Neves.

It’s possible that the Gunners are looking at Aouar to play in a more advanced role, with the club having not yet identified a possible replacement for Martin Odegaard, who is expected to stay with Real Madrid this summer.

Whether £21.5m will be enough to clinch a deal for Aouar, it is questionable. Lyon are not in the Champions League next season so they are likely to be looking to raise funds but it is still a rather low bid for one of their best players.