After David Ornstein’s claims that Unai Emery and Arsenal are trying to move Mesut Özil on, let’s have a look at some of the players they’ve been linked with in his place for this summer.
3Houssem Aouar
- Age: 20
- Position: Central Midfield
- Club: Olympique Lyonnais
- Contract until: 2023
- Estimated market value: £36m
Arsenal are also tracking Olympique Lyonnais star Houssem Aouar, according to reports.
The Daily Mail write that Arsenal have been scouting Aouar for the last 18 months, and they consider him someone who could replace Aaron Ramsey in North London, but the same could be true of Mesut Özil. The Lyon midfielder’s performances in this season’s Champions League have reportedly particularly caught Unai Emery’s eye.
The Week write that Aouar is ‘near the top’ of Emery’s list of players to sign. Although Chelsea were initially planning to rival Arsenal for the 20-year-old’s signature, they since turned their attention to Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic instead.
Aouar has six goals and four assists in 26 appearances for Lyon this season. He’s mostly playing in central midfield but has also spent some time on the left.
The youngster has also scored in both of his most recent u21 appearances for France. There were rumours that he might get a senior call-up before he picked up a knock immediately before the current international break.
A strong passer who contributes well defensively and counter-attacks impressively, Aouar could fit well in Emery’s side. We’ll see if Arsenal decide to move for him in the next couple of windows.
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