Arsenal have not made an official approach to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, according to insider source TheAFCBell.
Reports in France had claimed an initial bid had been made for the 23-year-old, but while a move for the Frenchman has not been completely ruled out, the TheAFCBell claim that the midfielder is not a priority target for the Gunners:
“Arteta’s admiration for Houssem Aouar is not a secret, but we did not receive new information indicating that the scales changed in this file. A move is not ruled out if the club fails to sign its main objectives.”
It is believed that Leicester’s James Maddison is the club’s main objective but it must be said that the cost of the transfer will make it difficult to complete.
Other options are reportedly on the table. Manuel Locatelli is an avenue that has been explored but the Italian international’s preference is Juventus so a deal seems unlikely at this stage.
Another candidate is believed to be Wolves’ Ruben Neves, but the Portuguese international is said to be valued at around £35m, which would make him more expensive than Aouar.
Lyon are only believed to be seeking around £20m for the France international so it may be a possiblity that Arsenal revisit in the coming weeks.
