Arsenal could reignite their interest in Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, as per reports.
L’Equipe (via Mirror Football) has claimed that the Gunners could sign Aouar for a cut-price fee of around £30 million, half of what they demanded last season.
The French club could be forced to sell a few players in the summer due to their current financial condition. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was reportedly interested in signing Aouar last season, but technical director Edu was keen on signing Thomas Partey, who the Gunners eventually signed.
Aouar has come through the ranks at Lyon and has made 170 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 32 goals and assisting 31 times.
The midfielder still has two years remaining on his current deal at Lyon. He is a French international, having played a solitary game for his national team last year.
Should Arsenal make a move and sign Houssem Aouar?
Houssem Aouar was in top form last year, which resulted in a lot of interest from various clubs across Europe. But the pandemic and Lyon’s high asking price could have played a part in him not being sold last summer.
But, things could be very different this summer as Lyon may have to sell a few key players to help their financial situation. Aouar has also not played a lot of football in the recently concluded season, which could result in him asking to leave the club. The Frenchman is a gifted midfielder who has loads of flair, good technical ability, and can create chances out of nothing.
Houssem Aouar vs Nîmes@HoussemAouarpic.twitter.com/rGKnvaTMQc
— □■□ (@BruxoGuimaraesS) May 17, 2021
Aouar has been deployed as a central midfielder or attacking midfielder in his spell at Lyon and he is comfortable in both positions. The 22-year-old has the ability to play key passes in the final third, while also drift past opponents with his dribbling ability. In 30 Ligue 1 appearances, Aouar averaged 1.5 dribbles per game and 2.3 shots on goal per game.
Arsenal should definitely make a move for the Frenchman as he has the creativity to link midfield and attack, which is missing in this current Arsenal squad. The Gunners also have just three central midfielders – Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, and Mohamed Elneny in their squad – as Dani Ceballos, who was on loan from Real Madrid, may not be signed on a permanent deal.
Aouar could slot in alongside Partey or Xhaka and be the creative force in midfield, while the other midfield sits and covers the backline. Arteta could also play Aouar as an attacking midfielder, which is another position that Arsenal lack depth in with Martin Odegaard set to return to Real Madrid after his loan spell.
Arsenal desperately need one or two new faces in the midfield region and Aouar could be a perfect fit for them. He has the technical ability and creativity to make the Gunners midfield tick, and at 22 years of age, could develop further.
Stats via Whoscored.com
