Arsenal: David Ornstein states who Arsenal are ‘more likely’ to sign out of their ‘top two’ transfer targets

Speaking recently on the Ask Ornstein YouTube show, David Ornstein provided an update on Arsenal’s pursuit of their “top two” transfer targets, Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey, and Olympique Lyon’s Houssem Aouar.

So far in the summer transfer window, Mikel Arteta has signed Gabriel Magalhaes in a £23.4 million deal from LOSC Lille, Pablo Mari for £7.2 million from Flamengo and Runar Alex Runarsson for £1.8 million from Dijon, as well as picking up Willian and Cedric Soares on free transfers from Chelsea and Southampton respectively.

However, it is evident that the Spaniard is keen to add further players to his squad prior to the summer transfer window’s closure in October, with the club heavily linked with moves for both of Partey and Aouar.

These potential deals were the topic of conversation on a recent episode of the Ask Ornstein YouTube show, with Ornstein stating that it would appear more likely the club will land the £36 million-rated Partey rather than the £44.55 million-rated Aouar.

He said: “Aouar and Partey are Arsenal’s top two central-midfield targets for this window. They are trying [to sign the players], whether or not they get one or both of them, I don’t know.

“Some [people] I speak to think it’s more likely that they end up with one of them, and to that extent, [it is] possibly more likely [to be] Partey, because of the position he plays and Arsenal’s need to strengthen in that area.

“Also, he has a release clause that makes it more clear-cut, unless Arsenal can negotiate lower or form some sort of swap deal with Atletico Madrid.

“In addition, Lyon are notoriously hard to deal with, [they’re] tough negotiators, especially their president, [Jean-Michel] Aulas. So, that could complicate things around Aouar, whose transfer fee is reportedly higher than the Partey buyout clause.”

TIF Thoughts…

From Ornstein’s comments, it would appear that the journalist is of the belief that a potential deal with Atletico Madrid for Partey will be an easier transfer to complete than a deal with Lyon for Aouar, and, as such, means a move for Partey is more likely to come to fruition for Arteta.

However, with a little while longer left in the summer transfer window, there is still time for Arsenal to move some of their fringe players on, with the potential income received for these players then potentially helping them to make a move for both of their “top two central midfield targets”.

For now, though, we will just have to wait and see how things unfold for Arsenal in the remaining days of the summer transfer window.