Lyon's forward Houssem Aouar arrives for a training session at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on July 30, 2020, on the eve of the French League Cup final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL). (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal in pole position for €25m Aouar but face competition

Jul 16, 2021

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign Houssem Aouar, with Lyon wanting to sell the player this summer.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - AUGUST 15: Houssem Aouar of Olympique Lyon celebrates following his team's victory in the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Lyon at Estadio Jose Alvalade on August 15, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Franck Fife/Pool via Getty Images) — LISBON, PORTUGAL: Houssem Aouar of Olympique Lyon celebrates following his team’s victory in the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Lyon at Estadio Jose Alvalade on August 15, 2020. (Photo by Franck Fife/Pool via Getty Images)

ESPN report that Lyon want to offload Houssem Aouar this summer, despite the fact he has two years left on his contract with the club.

Arsenal will face competition for the player from Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Liverpool, according to the report. But Arsenal and Spurs are leading the race, with the other two clubs interested but lurking in the background for now.

ESPN claim Arsenal are the favourite right now, and an offer of €25m could be enough to complete the signing. But Lyon have a good relationship with Spurs, who are keen to reunite Aouar with Tanguy Ndombele.

Elsewhere, The Athletic claim Aouar was a serious prospect last summer, but interest has subsequently cooled. Some at Arsenal still believe he represents an affordable option, but the interest is no longer unanimous internally.

One thing both outlets seem to agree on is that Arsenal haven’t made a bid just yet. But it seems to be a possibility.