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Arsenal receive Houssem Aouar transfer boost after Juventus make key decision
Arsenal want to tie up a deal for Houssem Aouar as soon as possible.
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta addresses Houssem Aouar transfer rumours
Arsenal are still working hard to try and sign Houssem Aouar, and are the only club in the running for him due to Juventus’ inability to afford the midfielder. That’s the opinion of transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who claimed Aouar wants to join the Gunners and play in the Premier League.
Arsenal are determined to sign Aouar before Monday’s transfer deadline passes.
The Gunners have been active this summer in strengthening across the board, but are yet to sign a creative attacking midfielder that Mikel Arteta has been after.
They have managed to extend Dani Ceballos’ loan deal for another year, keeping him from Real Madrid until next summer after he impressed at the end of last season.
But Arteta still wants another creative midfielder, and has effectively given up on Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey.
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Lyon are still reluctant to let Aouar leave, but will reportedly have to part ways with one of their star players due to financial reasons.
They concluded a deal to sign AC Milan’s Lucas Paqueta on Wednesday – a player believed to be Aoaur’s replacement – for £19million.
Juventus had been linked with a move for the French 22-year-old, but Romano explained to Oddschecker that they are no longer interested because they can’t afford to meet Lyon’s demands.
“For sure, Arsenal are trying,” he said.
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“They’re in negotiations with Lyon right now, so you have to see what will happen, but they’re trying.
“They’re trying harder than Juventus. I see lots about Juventus, it’s true that they called Lyon, but they were proposing other players, not for an Aouar deal.
“They can’t spend €50million for Aouar, so it’s Arsenal. They’re the club who are trying to sign Aouar.
“We’ve got to see about the money, because Lyon want €50million to sell. He started at €60million, now they want €50million.
“That’s normal when you’ve got a player who wants to leave, and Aouar wants to leave to play in the Premier League.
“Arsenal are in negotiations with Lyon right now, personal terms aren’t a problem as Aouar wants to join the club in the Premier League, but there’s no agreement yet.
“Lyon want the money, it’s about €50million but they want the money. They’re not going to accept €35million.
“Arsenal are going to make another bid, we’ll see what will happen with the next move.”
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