Arsenal ‘love’ Houssem Aouar and retain a desire to sign the Lyon star before the window closes on Monday.
According to L’Equipe, the Gunners were the first to draw an offer for the midfielder, through their technical director Edu, at the start of August.
Edu is in ‘contact’ with Juninho, the sporting director of the French club, to sign the 22-year-old.
The Gunners’ first offer was a €30m fee plus Mattéo Guendouzi, but this was turned down by Lyon because they were then expecting no less than €60m for their player.
Two months later, Arsenal’s offer has ‘yet to reach €40m’, which ‘isn’t going to convince those in charge at Lyon’.
While the French side ‘have lowered their aspirations for Aouar, with time running out and the need to make a meaningful sale’, they haven’t go ‘that low’.
Thomas Tuchels’ side have incurred a loss of €100m due to the Covid-19 crisis, which is why they cannot invest on Aouar in this window, so are looking longer term.
According to L’Equipe, it’s possible the two clubs could agree a deal for a transfer in 2021 at a price that’s determined in advance.
The other option would be to take him on a loan deal with a mandatory purchase option to be exercised after this season. This option is ‘less possible’.
Aouar’s next destination is still unknown because of the ‘economic equation’. He had the idea of moving abroad, and a move to the Emirates can help him fulfil it. 
‘Arsenal are still holding the rope in this complex issue’, but need to be more generous.
In other words, Mikel Arteta’s side are still leading the chase and have to make an improved offer, if they are to sign the Lyon star.
