Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are still in the race for Houssem Aouar, with a late window conclusion expected to the Frenchman’s transfer saga.
According to Fabrizio Romano on the Arsenal Lounge Podcast, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are still in the race for Houssem Aouar, and a move might happen before the end of the window. The Frenchman is available to move, although the interest from the English clubs is yet to pick up steam.
The transfer expert has been a busy figure throughout the window, and while speaking on the podcast, he suggested Arsenal are working on many options to close deals before the window shuts. Among those targets is an attacking midfielder, and a decision could be imminent by the end of the month.
As we already know and like Romano suggested, Martin Odegaard remains the primary target for Arsenal. The Gunners are reportedly inching closer to signing the Norwegian after new developments at Madrid, with the club not registering him for their opening game and giving away his squad number to another player.
While the Gunners are talking with Madrid, they also have Leicester City’s James Maddison in their sights as a reported fallback option along with Houssem Aouar. While the Foxes’ midfielder is an expensive option, Odegaard and Aouar are cheaper alternatives.
It’s not to say Arsenal are looking at Odegaard or Aouar for the money factor, but rather based on what they bring to the team. As for Aouar, the Gunners have been chasing him since last summer; after failing to agree on Lyon’s demands, they secured Thomas Partey.
Aouar is available for a much lower price, with Lyon expecting €20-25 million for the attacking midfielder, certainly falling within Arsenal’s reach or even Tottenham’s. In recent weeks, the other north London side have also seen links to the Frenchman, as Nuno Espirito Santo seeks an attacking midfielder in place.
The future of Tanguy Ndombele is in serious doubt, and he occupies a position Aouar does at Lyon. According to reports, they might view him as an ideal replacement for Ndombele, although Aouar reportedly prefers Arsenal. Nevertheless, Romano reports that both clubs are in touch with the player’s agent and are waiting for Lyon’s green signal to advance any deal.
Romano said, “It is a completely different situation when they wanted the player last summer, but it was not easy to find an agreement with the player and Lyon at the end of the window. But now he could still be an opportunity for Arsenal and for Tottenham. They are both in contact with his agent. So, they are still looking at the situation, and if Lyon gives the green light in the coming days, he could become an option for Arsenal too.”
There certainly could be an end-of-the-window tussle between the north London giants if they are to turn their full focus on acquiring Aouar. However, it remains to be seen if this particular transfer pursuit picks up steam and the player signs for either of those clubs.
