Arsenal have made a £32million bid for Houssem Aouar as the Gunners get serious over a raid for the Lyon midfielder, according to a report.
Aouar is among Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s top targets this transfer window and talk of the deal has recently progressed.
Telefoot claimed that Aouar has agreed in principle to a move to The Emirates. The 22-year-old favoured a move to Juventus but interest from the Italian club failed to materialise.
That report claimed Arsenal and Lyon were to hold crunch talks over the finer details of the transfer.
Now, RMC Sport says that the Gunners have stepped up the deal from their end with a serious bid. The offer is worth €35million (£32million) but it is unclear if that will satisfy Lyon.
Previous reports have suggested the Ligue 1 side would want a significant fee, more than £40million.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has issued a fresh statement on Arsenal’s interest.
He told L’Equipe: “For Houssem Arsenal is too far from his value. We are counting on him to play a great match in Lorient and lead Lyon in the Champions League next year.”
However, speculation elsewhere suggests Lyon have begun preparations to spend their incoming funds. They want to bring back forward Mariano Diaz, who left Lyon to return to Real Madrid in 2018.
That move will likely see them replace exit-linked striker Moussa Dembele, should the Frenchman leave.
It is thought that offloading several players would be key if Arsenal were to fund their transfer hunt. The likes of Lucas Torreira, Sead Kolasinac and Sokratis Papastathopoulos are all reportedly on the transfer list.
Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey is another target Arsenal are considering. However in recent days, Chelsea’s Jorginho has also emerged on the Gunners’ radar.
The Blues could look to offload the Italian if they push forward with a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice.
Meanwhile, Ray Parlour believes Arteta should cause “uproar” and sign Tottenham star Dele Alli.
The 23-year-old has faced doubts about his future in recent days, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly keen.
The French champions have since pulled the plug on their interest though and Parlour believes his former side should attempt a move.
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