Arsenal were quoted over £50m for a star they previously targeted – now they can sign him for a fraction of that
(Image credit: Getty)
Arsenal could have been vindicated in a transfer deal that they were previously panned for – and sign a superstar for just a snip of his potential value.
Back in 2020, the Gunners were quoted well over £50 million for Lyon schemer Houssem Aouar, with his employers, Olympique Lyonnais, playing hardball for their talent. In the end, Arsenal only had the money to sign Thomas Partey at the time, missing out on a creative spark that would cost them in the 2020/21 season.
Mikel Arteta's side slumped to eighth, relying on Emile Smith Rowe, freshly introduced from the youth sides, and Martin Odegaard, on loan from Real Madrid.
(Image credit: PA)
Plenty has changed at the Emirates Stadium since, with Mikel Arteta now needing a midfielder on the left-hand side of his 4-3-3 – but attentions might turn back to Aouar, who Foot Mercato claim could cost as little as £12.6m.
The Frenchman's value has been dropping like a stone since his botched Premier League move and this summer represents the last realistic opportunity to shift him before he becomes a free agent. Juventus and Tottenham have both been previously interested, too.
But Aouar now seems tailor-made not as the primary creator of Arsenal's side but as a secondary playmaker who can keep ahold of possession in the final third, play penetrative passes and press diligently.
(Image credit: PA)
Doubts remain for Arsenal over the 23-year-old – though given the scale of their interest in 2020 and subsequent unwillingness to launch another bid for him, perhaps the midfielder and his entourage has demanded too much from talks in the past for Arteta and team to entertain bringing him in now. Arsenal dealt with lower-profile agents last summer.
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Lyon have previous for letting big stars leave for a snip of their value, too. World Cup winner Nabil Fekir was heavily linked with Liverpool once upon a time and expected to join a huge Champions League side at one point. In the end, he moved to the more modest Real Betis for just under £18m, shocking European giants.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
