Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano recently joined Arsenal-focused YouTuber ‘Lee Gunner’ to discuss the latest transfer news concerning the Gunners and the journalist spent some time discussing the possibility of Arsenal making a move for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar during the YouTube video.
Aouar is coming off the back of an impressive 2019/20 campaign in which his performances in the UEFA Champions League helped Lyon to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
The Frenchman provided an assist in Lyon’s 3-1 quarter-final win over Manchester City and according to WhoScored, the 22-year-old midfielder earned the highest average overall rating (7.55) of any Lyon player in the competition during the 2019/20 campaign.
Aouar has been linked with a move to clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester City in the current transfer window with the two Premier League sides said to be battling for the Lyon man’s signature.
Romano was asked about the possibility of Aouar joining the Gunners during his recent appearance on the Lee Gunner YouTube channel and here is what the journalist had to say about that potential transfer: “I think it’s difficult about Aouar because we were speaking about €50m for Thomas Partey, if we speak about Aouar, we are around €60-70m.
“So, it will be so difficult, I think, to take Aouar. I can guarantee to you that the Arsenal board is in love with Aouar, Mikel Arteta is in love with Aouar, so for sure, they will try. I’m sure they will try, because we are speaking of a top player but many other clubs will try.”
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So, judging by the journalist’s comments, it’s clear that while the Gunners like Aouar, the player’s price tag may make it difficult for them to bring him to the Emirates.
Reports have also been linking Arsenal with a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey recently and it has been claimed that Arsenal ‘cannot afford’ his €50m (£44.48m) release clause.
If Aouar is going to cost even more than that, as Romano suggested, then perhaps the Frenchman is unlikely to end up at the North London club this summer, especially as Romano believes that “many other clubs” will also be in for the 22-year-old’s signature.