ARSENAL have been joined by Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Houssem Aouar but Mikel Arteta remains confident of landing the Lyon star.
The Gunners remain desperate to bring in the French playmaker, who is keen to leave the Ligue 1 side before the window closes on Monday.
Yet according to French outlet L’Equipe, PSG President Al Khelaifi has devised a plan to sign Aouar in 2021.
The report adds that the club are unable to land the 22-year-old this summer due to financial restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Yet PSG, who are said to have met with the 22-year-old’s entourage at the beginning of the year, hope to agree a fee with their domestic rivals now ahead of a move next year.
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Yet Arsenal boss Arteta revealed his confidence in the club’s approach to land their top target when asked about Aouar.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday, he said: “Well, I am very confident in what we are trying to do internally.
“[I am getting] clarity and support from everybody at the club to try and improve the team if we can.
“But most importantly as well, to get the right balance in the squad, for now and the way we want to evolve the squad in the future. We are all very much aligned.”
Arsenal had already faced competition for Aouar from Juventus, with Lyon admitting there was also interest from a third team.
Speaking at a press conference, the club’s president Jean-Michel Aulas said: “We know that three big clubs are interested in him.
“Two in the short-term, one in the long-term. Not much has happened.
“All the clubs can’t give us financially what Lyon wants. We could see ourselves lose two players.”
Aulas had already warned the Gunners to up their offer for Aouar – given they splashed a club-record £72million on Nicolas Pepe last year.
Mikel Arteta’s side had a £32m bid rejected but the club are thought to be readying a new and improved offer before the window slams shut on October 5.
ESPN claims the French side value the former France Under-21 star at £55m but are ready to accept around £41m with bonuses.
And the Gunners had been warned they had until Friday to wrap up a deal for the player or he would not be allowed to leave for London Colney.
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