Arsenal have backup options for Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar if they can’t land one or both of them, according to a report.

The Athletic report that Arsenal have backup alternative options for both Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey, if they fail to land either player this summer.

As we covered earlier today, David Ornstein reports that Arsenal are more likely to bring in Aouar as things stand. The good relationship between Edu and Lyon’s technical director, as well as the club’s desire to raise money, could see the deal over the line.

But if it doesn’t work out, Arsenal have ‘other options’. Similarly, if Atletico stand firm on Thomas Partey, refusing to negotiate for anything other than his release clause, and if Arsenal can’t raise the money for that clause, they have ‘back-up targets’.

Exactly who these alternate targets are is a mystery. As is whether Arsenal would be able to agree deals for them with such a short space of time left in the window.

We heard from various outlets earlier in the summer that Amadou Diawara and Danilo Pereira are both possible alternatives to Partey. Both players remain with the same clubs as at the start of the summer, so they’re still available.

Perhaps the recent link to Chelsea midfielder Jorginho is the ‘Aouar alternative’. Personally, that doesn’t make much sense to me, as they’re very different players. But it’s the only rumour that even comes close to fitting that description.