Man Utd, Liverpool and Spurs enter battle for key Arsenal target

Joe Williams
Houssem Aouar Lyon Arsenal
Houssem Aouar Lyon

Premier League sides Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham have all joined the battle to sign top Arsenal target Houssem Aouar, according to reports.

The Gunners have been linked heavily with Lyon midfielder Aouar for over a year now with the 23-year-old impressing in France’s top flight.

Last summer the interest was particularly strong from Arsenal but they couldn’t get a deal done. However, Mikel Arteta has identified him as one of their top targets this transfer window as he looks to sign a playmaker.


The irrefutable proof that Pogba, Lacazette are staying


Aouar made 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, contributing seven goals and three assists, with a number of clubs interested in the France international.

Atletico Madrid are thought to be the other main contenders as well as the Gunners for his signature with Arteta and Edu ‘pushing hard’ for signature.

However, one report earlier this month said that Arsenal ‘must sell one more player’ if they are to land Aouar this summer, with the Gunners willing to listen to offers for a number of their squad members.

And now ESPN claim that Man Utd, Spurs and Liverpool have all ‘joined Arsenal in the race to sign’ Aouar this summer and Lyon ‘want to offload the player’.

Arsenal and their north London rivals Tottenham ‘lead the race to sign Aouar despite interest from United and Liverpool’ with the Gunners ‘in pole position’.

Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘views Aouar as a good replacement for Pogba’ with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly looking into the possibility of signing the United midfielder.

It is understood that ‘Liverpool have been following Aouar’s progress for a while and could be tempted to make an offer’ while Tottenham ‘have a great relationship with Lyon’ following their signing of Tanguy Ndombele in 2019.

However, most signs still point to Arsenal with The Athletic reporting earlier today that he is one of seven signings they would like to make this summer.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell thinks the club should bide their time over offering Alexandre Lacazette a new contract.

Campbell told Football Insider: “Arsenal have shot themselves in the foot so many times over player contracts.

“I think this is a unique situation with Lacazette though. If you are not sure about which striker to bring in, you have just got to roll the dice with Lacazette’s contract. They have done it in the past with Aubameyang and it worked out.

“If they are not going to agree on a new deal, it is obviously something that will be addressed next summer.

“Listen, maybe they could get money for him but if he stays he will be integral to how we play next season. He did well all things considered last season.

“I have no problem with him staying and leaving on a free next summer. The Covid situation has made things difficult.”