ARSENAL are in pole position to land Houssem Aouar as Juventus cannot afford him, according to reports.
The Gunners are determined to complete a deal for the Lyon midfielder before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Houssem Aouar has been heavily linked with a move to the GunnersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Juventus are not in the race to sign Aouar.
The Italian side will not make a move for the Frenchman as his valuation is too high.
Romano said: “They can’t spend €50million for Aouar, so it’s Arsenal.
“They’re the club who are trying to sign Aouar.”
The journalist also states that Aouar is keen to make the move to the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s initial bid of £31million for the midfielder was swiftly rejected by Lyon.
L’Equipe claim the Gunners then returned with a “timid” £34.5m offer.
But Lyon handed them a huge boost as it was revealed they are ready to sell two players by Friday.
But club chief Jean-Michel Aulas warned the teams interested in Aouar are not close to meeting the club’s valuation of him.
He said: “We know that three big clubs are interested in him.
“Two in the short-term, one in the long-term. Not much has happened.
“All the clubs can’t give us financially what Lyon wants.
“We could see ourselves lose two players.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
