Arsenal and Manchester City to battle for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar
- The Premier League sides are set to battle for the signature of the midfielder
- Arsenal have been leading the race to sign the midfielder, with Manchester City now in contention too
- Mental Health and Psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic
Arsenal and Manchester City to battle for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.
The two Premier League sides are said to be battling to sign the midfielder from French side Lyon.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for the 22-year old who is valued at £54m, and have considered a bid involving money plus Matteo Guendouzi.
Pep Guardiola is now said to be pushing for a move for the midfielder as he seeks to bolster his squad ahead of the start of the season on Saturday.
Lyon sporting director Juninho insisted that he isn’t interested in a deal for Guendouzi.
He said: ‘I get on very well with [Arsenal technical director] Edu, we spoke on the phone. Aouar is really appreciated by Mikel Arteta.
‘Guendouzi was discussed during the call, he is a great player, but he is the wrong profile.
‘We are not interested in that at all, we cut the conversation.’
Juninho added that Lyon have yet to receive a formal offer for Aouar. ‘I think that has been happening directly with agents.’
However, Juninho did say that he is aware of Guardiola’s interest.
He said: ‘I think that has been happening directly with agents.
‘We were not directly contacted. Maybe [director general] Vincent Ponsot was contacted by Manchester City, I am not sure.
His creative flair is sorely needed at Arsenal, who have improved significantly under Mikel Arteta but still require greater supply into the path of their attackers.
