Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsenal to raise Houssem Aouar transfer bid as Juventus hold swap deal talks with Lyon
Arsenal are hoping to complete the signing of Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar before the transfer deadline.
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta addresses Houssem Aouar transfer rumours
Arsenal are reportedly optimistic that a bid of £36million will be enough to sign Houssem Aouar. The Gunners are continuing to work on a deal for the Frenchman, who has three years remaining on his current contract at Lyon.
Lyon are just one club who are feeling the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
They've been forced to cash in on several of their first-team stars including Bertrand Traore and Martin Terrier.
Memphis Depay could be set to join Barcelona while former Gunner Jeff Reine-Adelaide is heading to Hertha Berlin.
Arsenal still believe a deal for Aouar is possible, despite Jean-Michel Aulas' determination to keep his star man.
JUST IN: Arsenal 'love' Juventus star and made transfer bid before Hector Bellerin swap deal offer
The player is said to have agreed to join Arsenal but he would prefer a move to Juventus or Barcelona.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Serie A champions have made contact for the 22-year-old this week and discussed a potential swap deal.
He said on Here We Go podcast: "Yesterday by another top journalist in my opinion, who is Mohamed Bouhafsi had the news about Juventus asking about Aouar.
"He is always right and yes there was contact directly between Juventus and Lyon on last days.
DON'T MISS
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta stopping transfer for forgotten man Unai Emery told to leave
Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gives public approval of Houssem Aouar transfer
Arsenal fans convinced Diego Simeone has dropped Thomas Partey transfer clue
"Juventus were trying to propose some players as they can't spend €50million in this moment to sign Aouar."
Despite clear movement from Juventus, Romano claims they continue to deny that Aouar is one of their top targets, leaving Arsenal with a clear run as they prepare to up their offer.
"It was a complicated contact and Juventus are denying the possibility of signing Aouar," Romano added.
"As we said right now there is no agreement for Aouar to Juventus,
Premier League done deals: Every confirmed transfer in the summer window so far
"We have to add that Arsenal are still working to sign Aouar and Mikel Arteta loves the player.
"It also depends on what will happen with Lucas Torreira but Aouar is the main target for Arsenal even more so than Thomas Partey.
"There is potential because Lyon have already signed Lucas Paqueta from Milan as a replacement for Aouar.
"Arsenal are going to rise their bid and they will try and go over €40m for Aouar."