It wouldn't be an Arsenal summer transfer window if they weren't linked with a move for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, and there may not be a better chance to finally get a deal over the line.
The Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium before the 2020/21 season got underway, but the Gunners were eventually priced out of a deal as reports claimed that Lyon were demanding a £53million transfer fee but after splashing out £45million to sign Thomas Partey on deadline day, Arsenal didn't have the cash to sign Aouar too.
Then last summer in what could have been a potential boost for the north London outfit, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas' stance appeared to have softened as L'Equipe claimed that a bid between £22million-£25million would have been enough to secure the playmaker's signature.
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Interestingly, a few weeks later The Sun then claimed the asking price was even lower with Lyon willing to accept as little as €20million (£17million). Fast forward to the present day and the 23-year-old's valuation has dropped even further if reports coming out of France are to be believed as Foot Mercato claim he could cost as little as £12.6m.
That is a considerable drop from what Aulas was previously demanding. If Arsenal wish to revisit a deal for Aouar then technical director Edu could seal a transfer masterstroke by saving around £40.4million based on the midfielder's initial asking price in the summer of 2020 to boost Mikel Arteta's first-team squad.
Whilst the Gunners are indeed on the market for a central midfielder amid links to Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, it has been reported that they are leading the chase to sign Aouar who has stalled on a new contract with Lyon. If he doesn't sign, it's almost certain he will move on this summer otherwise the Ligue 1 outfit risk losing him for free in just over 12 months' time.
Although, it should be noted that the Gunners aren't the only side being linked with a move for Aouar. Liverpool, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and an unnamed Italian club are also said to be interested in signing the Frenchman, so it remains to be seen if it will be third time lucky for Arteta and Edu.
With that said, as reported by football.london, Arsenal's preferred midfield target is Tielemans amid talk of a £25million move to the Emirates Stadium and it has been reported that he was watched by the club's head of UK scouting James Ellis during the Leicester City's 4-1 win over Southampton on the final day of the Premier League season.
Having scored seven goals and registered five assists during the 2021/22 campaign, the Belgium international could be the perfect addition to the Gunners' engine room alongside Partey and Martin Odegaard in what many would consider Arteta's first-choice midfield trio when all fit.
