90min

Arsenal Preparing Improved Bid for Lyon Midfielder Houssem Aouar

By James Cormack

Houssem Aouar was one of the stars of August's Champions League epilogue
Houssem Aouar was one of the stars of August's Champions League epilogue / Pool/Getty Images
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Arsenal are planning to send an improved bid to Lyon for star midfielder Houssem Aouar.

Mikel Arteta is keen to add another central midfielder to the Gunners' ranks this summer and has identified Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey and Aouar as his two priority targets.

However, with the club reluctant to pay Partey's £45m release clause, it appears their attentions have switched firmly to the Lyon dynamo despite already having a £31.2m bid rejected by the French club.

Thomas Partey is another priority target for Arsenal
Thomas Partey is another priority target for Arsenal / Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano reports that the Arsenal board - alongside Arteta - are convinced that Aouar is a 'top player' and will continue talks with the player's agent ahead of an improved second bid.

L'Equipe (via Get Football News France), meanwhile, understand the 22-year-old is 'determined' to leave the Champions League semi-finalists during the current transfer window.

Lyon are demanding a fee of £54.5m for the supremely talented Frenchman's services this summer, and sporting director Juninho has made it clear the club aren't interested in any sort of swap deal which would see out of favour midfielder Matteo Guendouzi arrive at Les Gones.

However, Aouar's desires might force the French club into selling for a reduced fee.

Even so, Arsenal will have to oversee a fair share of departures if they are to fund a deal for the Lyon midfielder.

Emiliano Martinez and Lucas Torreira are two players who seem destined to depart north London this summer, with the former's stellar form to round off the 2019/20 campaign certainly increasing his number of potential suitors.

Aouar would be a significant coup for the Gunners
Aouar would be a significant coup for the Gunners / Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Torreira, meanwhile, has attracted interest from a number of clubs in Serie A. Torino and Fiorentina are in talks with Arsenal over a potential deal.

Another player who could exit the Emirates is full back Hector Bellerin.

The Spaniard has Europe's elite chasing him this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain already lodging a £25m bid in an attempt to get ahead of the competition.

Arsenal have set their asking price for Hector Bellerin
Arsenal have set their asking price for Hector Bellerin / Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Arteta, though, is reluctant to sell Bellerin this summer and will only facilitate a departure if they receive a bid closer to the £35m mark - a fee which would go a long way to funding the transfer of Aouar or Partey.