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Arsenal set to make second bid for Houssem Aouar as Lyon star wants transfer
Arsenal are prepared up their offer for Lyon target Houssem Aouar.
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Arsenal are reportedly ready to launch an improved bid for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar. The Gunners had an offer of £32million rejected for the Frenchman yesterday but that has not put Mikel Arteta off a potential transfer and the Emirares Stadum hierarchy are set to return to the table.
Aouar has been on Arteta's radar for several years and first caught the eye during his time as Manchester City assistant boss after a 2-2 draw with Lyon.
He allegedly took details from the player in the tunnel after the match and now he wants to make him central to his ambitious plans at Arsenal.
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The Gunners were weighing up the ideal of a player-plus-cash deal involving Matteo Guendouzi.
The France Under-21 international is currently surplus to requirements after be absconded from the first team last season.
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But Lyon made it clear they were not willing to entertain swap deal offers for their player, who they value at around £54million.
Arsenal tested the water with a £32m bid and now according to Football.London, a new improved offer is already being devised.
The report claims Arsenal are now willing to table an additional £9m in add-ons in an attempt to entice the Champions League semi-finalists.
President Jean-Michel Aulas is a notoriously tough negotiator and is determined to keep hold of the player.
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He tweeted in response to Arsenal's initial offer: "For Houssem Arsenal is too far from his value: we are counting on him to play a great match in Lorient and lead OL in CL next year."
Arsenal fans have been quick to point out on social media that Aulas made a similar statement in 2017, before selling Alexandre Lacazette to the Gunners.
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Arteta and Edu remain confident they can get the deal done because the player has already agreed to join the club.
Personal terms will not be a problem and Aouar's preference is the Emirates Stadium, permitting there are no other offers.
His camp have hinted that their client would prefer to join Juventus or Barcelona, if either may any offer for the 22-year-old.
The Arsenal board have told Arteta that he will have to raise funds through player sales in order to launch a bid for Aouar or Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey.
So that's exactly what he done after making the bold decision to sell goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa.
He is also prepared to move Lucas Torreira on and the Uruguayan has held talks with Diego Simeone about joining Atletico Madrid.
Lyon remain adamant they will not accept below their valuation for Aouar, a similar message Arsenal have been told by Atletico Madrid in regards to Partey's £45m release clause.