Arsenal transfer news: Houssem Aouar wants move as Lyon talk up Lacazette move

Arsenal have bolstered their defensive options with the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille this summer and have supplemented Mikel Arteta’s attack with the experience of former Chelsea winger Willian.

The Gunners remain active in the market, having last week secured Dani Ceballos on loan for another season, and are still looking to add another midfielder to the squad before the window closes in early October.

Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey have emerged as potential candidates for an Arsenal move, but both players are staying put unless the Gunners can front up the cash demanded by their respective side.

Here is the latest Arsenal transfer news.

Arsenal target wants Lyon exit

Long-time Arsenal target Houssem Aouar has expressed his desire to leave Lyon, according to L’Equipe.

Arsenal had initially proposed a cash plus Mattéo Guendouzi deal to OL, but the Ligue 1 club rejected that particular pitch. Their asking price is €60million (£55m), but that could be forced down by Aouar’s determination to leave.

Lyon will not be playing European football this season, for the first time since the 1996/97 campaign, after the 2019/20 Ligue 1 calendar was prematurely curtailed due to coronavirus. This is believed to be a factor in Aouar’s decision-making.

The 22-year-old, who recently received his first senior France call-up, impressed in the Champions League last season, and is the fancy of many clubs competing in European competition.

PSG expected to end Bellerín pursuit

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a deal to take Roma right-back Alessandro Florenzi to the French capital, all but ending their interest in Arsenal’s Hector Bellerín.

The club’s sporting director Leonardo earlier this week expressed the need to sign a right-back following Thomas Meunier’s departure, with Bellerín high on the list of potential replacements.

PSG did make a loan offer for the full-back, but that was turned down by Gunners technical director Edu, leading the French giants to pursue the Italian defender.

Florenzi’s imminent signing means Bellerin should remain an Arsenal player for the upcoming season.

The Spaniard tweeted two photographs of himself in the club’s new third kit this morning, all but confirming his intention to stay with the club.

Juninho not ruling out Lacazette return

Lyon sporting director Juninho says a move for Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette would be “not possible for us today” – per the Independent – but is not ruling out a transfer in future.

The Brazilian revealed he had discussed a potential six-month loan deal with the player back in January, but a move did not materialise, mainly due to the Frenchman’s sizeable salary.

Juninho stated it would not be possible to compete with the sums of money paid by clubs like Arsenal, and offered by suitors such as Juventus and Barcelona.

However, he did not rule out a move for the 29-year-old in future, saying: “If the player is looking for a project, is willing to make an effort maybe with a longer contract, wants to come home, then I will go and get him straight away.”