HOUSSEM AOUAR is still holding out for a move to Arsenal.
The French playmaker has been linked to the Gunners for the past two summers – and the north London side have held talks with Lyon in the last few weeks.
However, SunSport understands that Aouar’s representatives have been stunned by Arsenal’s recent progress in their attempt to sign Leicester star James Maddison.
Maddison is reported to be interested in a potential move to Arsenal, with the Foxes holding out for at least £60m to see him leave the King Power.
Mikel Arteta’s men are hoping to lower that fee by offering a player plus cash deal in the coming weeks as they search for a new playmaker.
Maddison, who has a contract with Leicester until 2024, was previously seen as an unrealistic target, but recent revelations have put Arsenal’s recruitment team on red alert.
Aouar, whose own contract expires in 2023, would cost significantly less as Lyon look to offload names and build up their own kitty.
Their failure to qualify for the Champions League sees his value drop to a much more affordable figure of around £25m.
But Arsenal, despite readying a wage packet of £100k-a-week, are yet to make a fresh bid for Aouar after seeing a £40m offer for the player rejected last summer.
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That is largely down to recent developments involving Maddison, who boss Arteta has admired for many years.
Yet Aouar’s camp are still hopeful that Arsenal’s pursuit of Maddison will fall flat, leaving the Gunners resort back to Lyon’s 23-year-old prized asset.
Aouar is eyeing a move to England this summer after five years in Ligue 1, with Liverpool also showing an interest.
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