Arsenal are considering reviving their pursuit of Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar but will need to sell at least one more player before making a bid.
It is reported that the player is on Arsenal’s shortlist but contrary to reports in France, they are yet to make any offer this summer transfer window.
That is at least in part because the gunners are looking to overhaul their midfield options and need to move some players on before pursuing other key targets.
Matteo Guendouzi has signed for Marseille in an initial loan deal which is expected to be permanent while the team are in talks to sell Xhaka to Roma and are also open to offers for Lucas Torreira.
Also, Martin Odegaard will not be returning after his loan spell from Real Madrid ended while there is huge uncertainty over the futures of Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock.
Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht, with the two sides thought to be on the brink of agreeing a fee of around £15m, but any further outgoings would help generate funds to sign Aouar.
ESPN claim that Lyon would be willing to accept a fee around €25m. It is also claimed that the London club are likely to face competition from several teams including PSG and an unnamed Spanish club.
However, Aouar, who has two years left on his current contract, is said to be open to a move to the Premier League and would not rule out a move to the Emirates.
Lyon’s valuation of Aouar has dropped from last campaign when Arsenal first expressed interest. The Ligue 1 club were demanding €60m but Mikel Arteta’s side made one offer of €35m which was turned down.
According to ESPN, Aouar was surprised Arsenal did not make an attempt to sign him in January and at that time he was eager on a transfer move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
But, it appears interest from those teams is yet to materalise at this stage and Arsenal may have the chance to complete a deal for the player, he registered eight goals and four assists in 33 appearances for Lyon last season.
