Last week, we relayed a claim from Mercato365, who reported that Arsenal were taking an active interest in soon-to-be Lyon midfielder Tanguy NDombele, currently on loan from Amiens SC.
The young midfielder is widely expected to make the move permanent come the end of the season to give Lyon the opportunity to plan for the future with a midfield tandem of himself and Lucas Tousart.
However, that plan could be scuppered, as his midfield partner is also being tracked by Arsenal, according to Calciomercato, as well as Tottenham.
This comes amid an interest from Inter in the 20-year-old, who see Tousart as a cheapish option to bolster their midfield in the summer.
Unfortunately for them, a number of other clubs, such as the Gunners and Spurs, are also keen on him, and this could further explain Arsenal’s presence at Lyon-CSKA Moscow in the Europa League.
As for Tottenham, this continues the latest trend of linking Mauricio Pochettino’s side with a new defensive midfielder, which Corriere dello Sport did over the weekend with Amadou Diawara.
While the Guinea international would cost somewhere around his release clause, believed to be in the vicinity of €60m, Tousart, per Calciomercato, would be far cheaper, with Lyon wanting €25m.
We’re not convinced by that price, and Corriere dello Sport (who don’t mention the Premier League clubs in their version of the story) see that figure as a minimum, which makes more sense.
History suggests Jean-Michel Aulas isn’t in the business of letting his starlets go for cheap if he can help it, wanting to squeeze as much money out of competitors.
The £37m sale of Corentin Tolisso to Bayern Munich is proof of that.
