ARSENAL’S bid to sign Lyon star Houssem Aouar is under threat – after their club president warned he will only be sold for £44million.
Jean-Michel Aulas reckons the Gunners don’t want to meet their valuation of the midfielder.
Arsenal must pay £44m to take Houssem Aouar from Lyon, says the French club’s presidentCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Asked if Aouar would join the Londoners, Aulas reportedly said: “No I don’t think so, no offer yet.
“It seems that Arsenal don’t want to, or can’t invest the price for Houssem, who is our best player.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is chasing Aouar and Atletico Madrid’s £45m-rated Thomas Partey to revamp his midfield.
The Londoners are said to want to pay only £36m for the midfielder – well short of Lyon’s valuation.
The Gunners chief has already snapped up £27m Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes.
He also landed Willian on a free transfer from London rivals Chelsea.
Midfield is now his top priority after getting striker and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to sign a new three -year contract.
Aouar, 22, starred in Lyon’s run to the Champions League semi-finals last season.
But he was sent off in only his second game for the French side last week as their season started after being cancelled last term.
The FA Cup winners face London neighbours West Ham at home tonight.
They kicked off the season with an impressive 3-0 win at Fulham.
Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal are as big as Barcelona which helped convince Aubameyang to stay and sign new deal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
