Arteta facing transfer headache over Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey pursuits

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will make a move for Houssem Aouar over Athletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey, if his budget allows him to only sign one.

Since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang agreed to terms on a new three-year deal at The Emirates, focus has now been able to shift on improving the quality of player within the Gunners squad.

Arteta is keen to bring in extra creativity in the heart of his midfield, with Partey and Lyon playmaker Aouar the two leading targets.

Both players are said to favour a move to north London, with Partey having a £45m release clause, while Lyon value their star midfielder at closer to £55m.

Arsenal have already had one bid rejected for Aouar, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claiming Technical Director Edu is in constant contact with the player’s representatives.

However, according to the Guardian, Arteta will need to sell a number of the lesser used members of his squad, in order to fund his own transfer plans.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted football finances across the globe and the Gunners are no different after laying off 55 members of staff earlier this summer.

Arteta therefore, will need to cash in on some of his fringe players to generate funds for the much needed midfield players.

Emiliano Martinez left this week, in a £20million switch to Aston Villa, while Sead Kolasinac, Lucas Torreira, Rob Holding and Sokratis have all been linked with exits.

The report claims that regardless of player sales, there may be a reluctance to fork out on two high-profile signings in the current climate. That means Arteta could now prioritise a move for 22-year-old Aouar, who will be looking for around £100,000-per-week in wages, if the two clubs can agree on an initial transfer fee.

French football expert Julien Laurens is confident a deal will get done in this window, but only once fellow midfielder Torreira is sold.

He said: “I believe Arsenal are preparing a deal, a bid for Aouar once they sell Lucas Torreira, probably to Torino, after Emi Martinez went to Villa.

“I think Arsenal will offer something to Lyon for Aouar and this one could happen.”