A report claims Arsenal have not yet given up on Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar and Mikel Arteta remains interested in a move for the player.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not given up the hope of signing Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar as he reportedly plans a new bid for him next summer.
The Gunners heavily pursued the Frenchman in the last transfer window, believing he was the right fit to bring more creativity to midfield working alongside summer signing Thomas Partey.
Despite failing to get the deal over the line before the transfer window closed on the 5th of October, Aouar still remains firmly at the top of Arteta’s wishlist, according to The Athletic.
The 22-year-old has caught the eye thanks to his impressive rise at Lyon.
Aouar was instrumental in the club’s journey to the Champion’s League semi-finals last season, beating both Manchester City and Juventus along the way before being knocked out by Bayern Munich.
Juventus are also said to be very keen on the Frenchman and may provide Arsenal with stiff competition for his signature.
Aouar has impressed Arsenal observers beyond Arteta, with club legend Ian Wright urging the Gunners to go after the midfielder again earlier this month.
But the club will have to stump up more than the £45m they initially bid for Aouar, as Lyon general manager Vincent Ponsot revealed that the deal collapsed because the price was too low.
The Gunners will now look to raise more cash possibly via off-loading some fringe players and will return for the player next summer.
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