Lyon are reportedly set to undergo a fire sale in the upcoming transfer window, with six to eight players expected to leave the French giants. And, with Mikel Arteta eager to undergo an overhaul this summer at the Emirates Stadium, Edu can pounce on the opportunity and finally secure the signing of Houssem Aouar.
The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to north London in recent years, though a move has never materialised. Arsenal were priced out of a move for the midfielder two years ago as reports claimed that Lyon were demanding £53million.
However, after investing £45million into the signing of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid on deadline day, Arteta's side didn't have the finances to sign Aouar. 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.
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L'Equipe claimed that a bid between £22million and £25million would have been enough to secure the playmaker's signature. Interestingly, a few weeks later The Sun then claimed the asking price was even lower with the French side willing to accept as little as €20million (£17million).
Last month, Aouar's valuation dropped even further, if reports coming out of France are to be believed. Foot Mercato outlined that the midfielder could cost as little as £12.6million.
Talk of a move to Arsenal has since calmed. However, with L'Equipe's latest report claiming that Peter Bosz and the Lyon's higher-ups are keen to offload several players this summer, a window of opportunity to bolster Arteta's midfielder has opened for Edu this summer.
But, regardless of whether the Gunners sign Aouar, whose contract at the French side expires next summer, the Arsenal boss wants a rerun of last years £150million spending spree. When asked if he expects another busy transfer window in terms of player recruitment, Arteta said: "I am expecting so, yes. I think both competitions [the Champions League and Europa League] require a much larger squad because the amount of games you play is much bigger in both, so I don’t think [which you qualify for] makes a lot of difference or changes a lot.
"If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we’ve had to do, if you ask me what I want it’s 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers. You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time."
