Arsenal do have a realistic chance of signing Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, according to ESPN journalist Julien Laurens.

The Gunners will need to raise funds from the sale of Lucas Torreira to finance their bid for the €60m (£55m) rated Frenchman, but Laurens insists that the transfer could well be finalised before deadline day:

“I believe Arsenal are preparing a deal, a bid for Aouar once they sell Lucas Torreira, probably to Torino, after Emi Martinez went to Villa. I think Arsenal will offer something to Lyon for Aouar and this one could happen.”

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Aouar is interested in moving to the Emirates, following regular conversations between Arsenal and his agents, while Lyon’s sporting director Juninho has already confirmed they have rejected an opening offer for the player from the London club.

Even so, a lot still needs to happen before the transfer can go ahead. Torreira’s departure needs to be finalised. As Laurens mentions, Torino are the likeliest destination, but there are, at least, three other Italian clubs interested in the Uruguayan. Whether any of them will match the Gunners’ asking price, we shall have to wait and see.