Arsenal lodge bid for €25m rated Aouar

Arsenal have reportedly lodged a bid for highly-rated Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, as the Gunners look to continue their summer squad revamp.

The 23-year-old has been a key player for the Ligue 1 side since making his debut back in February 2017, going on to score 32 times in 170 games for the club in all competitions.

That form has seen him enjoy international recognition, the midfielder making his debut for France in a friendly against Ukraine in October, although he was unable to secure a place in Didier Deschamps talented 26-man squad for the European Championships.

Aouar has long been linked with a departure from the French club – where has been since joining as a youth team player in 2009 – with Arsenal having been interested in his signature last summer, and it seems as though they have retained their interest.

According to French media outlet Le10 Sport, the Gunners have placed an unspecified offer for the talented youngster, with his current club said to be willing to let him depart should they receive a suitable offer for his services.

Although the amount offered is yet to be confirmed, the report suggests Lyon are looking to receive between €20-25m, the player currently having just two years to run on his existing deal.

The north London club will face competition from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, although they should have the benefit of being able to offer regular game time at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s side is currently devoid of any real midfield depth or quality, having seen both Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos return to Real Madrid at the end of their respective loan spells, while Matteo Guendouzi is set to join Marseille on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy.

Switzerland star and former club captain Granit Xhaka looks set to link up with Jose Mourinho at AS Roma, while Lucas Torreira appears surplus to requirements, leaving Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny as the only real recognised central midfield options.

The club have also been linked with a move for Aouar’s teenage compatriot Eduardo Camavinga, although the Rennes star is likely to be sought by a number of Europe’s elite club’s, with Manchester United the favourites for his signature.

As for other transfer targets, Arsenal are nearing a deal for Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga as well as Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares, while they’ve also been rumoured to have made a third bid for Brighton and England defender Ben White.

Read – Euro ’92: The brothers Laudrup and a very Danish fairy tale