Houssem Aouar has been left shocked by Arsenal’s move to sign James Maddison with the Frenchman having hoped his long-mooted move to the Emirates was finally on the cards.
Mikel Arteta is keen to bring in a new playmaker this summer transfer window, having sold Mesut Ozil in January and so far failing to complete a permanent deal for Martin Odegaard.
Lyon midfielder Aouar had re-emerged as a possible option for Arsenal, who were willing to pay huge money for him last summer, with the French team having dropped their asking price to only £25m.
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But now the Gunners appear to have made Leicester City midfielder Maddison their top target for the position, opening the bidding for a player who is valued at around £60m.
According to The Sun, Aouar and his camp have been blindsided by Arsenal’s sudden transfer move for Maddison and had been hopeful that he would finally join the London club.
The Lyon star would cost less than half the fee Leicester want and there had been contact between Arsenal and Aouar’s representatives, with the north Londoners ready to offer him a £100,000-per-week contract.
But suddenly discussions have gone quiet at the same time as reports emerged surrounding Arsenal’s move for Maddison, leaving Aouar shocked and in limbo.
The Frenchman is still keen to move to Arsenal though, and wants to test himself in England, and Aouar’s camp are hoping their pursuit of Maddison ends in defeat.
Even though the player is clearly a backup option to preferred choice Maddison, he would love to play for Arteta’s side and is prepared to wait to see what happens with their negotiations with Leicester.
Maddison, meanwhile, is reported to be keen on a move to the Emirates despite the Gunners’ recent struggles while Leicester could be tempted into selling the player.
