Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal will ‘try’ to sign Houssem Aouar in the January transfer window.
The £45m-rated midfielder was a target for the Gunners in the summer window with the side even having a bid rejected for the French midfielder.
Appearing on The Arsenal Lounge, the famed journalist claimed the club would go back in for the midfielder if they failed to land Dominik Szoboszlai.
Romano said: “I think they will try again for sure. Now we have to happen what will happen with Szoboszlai, they are waiting on his final decision. But immediately after Szoboszlai signs with another club, they could move again for Aouar. They have already spoke with his agent.”
“It is not easy to sign Aouar in January, but he is at the top of the list for Arsenal. He’s a favourite for Arteta, it’s the same for the board. So, yes, in my opinion, they will try again.” (via The Arsenal Lounge)
Do Arsenal need to sign a creative midfielder in the January transfer window?
Yes
No
Given how trustworthy the Italian has proven to be about transfers regarding the north London club in recent seasons, it’s a boost ahead of the winter window. Arsenal are in desperate need for some recruitment in middle areas as they look to recover an eight-point gap to fourth-placed Leicester City.
Options in the middle of the park seem to be weak especially after the long injury lay off Thomas Partey is expected to endure after Sunday’s events. It leaves Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos as the only options at central midfield with none of the players able to progress the ball through the thirds to the same effect as the £45m summer signing.
Aouar could well fix this issue with his talent to dribble the ball from midfield into attack. He averages 1.4 dribbles per Ligue 1 game this season, a statistic which would leave him ranked second when compared to Arteta’s squad.
With six defeats in 11 Premier League games and his best midfielder out for a while, a signing is extremely necessary next month. You can’t imagine Elneny, Xhaka and Ceballos would scare too many top-flight sides with their limited abilities. Aouar proves to be just the man for the role, making him the perfect transfer.
In other news, one star is set to make his second appearance following his long-term injury lay-off.
