Real Madrid and Arsenal want to sign midfielder Houssem Aouar from Ligue 1 side Lyon this summer, according to The Sun.
The highly-rated 21-year-old has earned plaudits from top players and managers which created interest in the player from across Europe.
Real Madrid Leading the Race for Houssem Aouar
Hot-Prospect Aouar
Aouar has played 37 games for Lyon this season in all competitions and impressed on a number of occasions, scoring nine goals and making seven assists.
The French youth international was given the captain’s armband for six matches before the season was suspended in March.
A number of clubs remain interested in signing the youngster, who is reportedly valued at around £65 million.
Aouar is one of Arsenal’s and Madrid’s top targets. However, Chelsea, Liverpool, Paris-Saint Germain, Manchester City and Juventus want the talented midfielder this summer.
Despite his young age, Aouar already played 145 games for Lyon after making his first-team debut in 2017.
Pep Guardiola and Karim Benzema Full of Praise
Pep Guardiola and Karim Benzema have praised the 21-year-old recently. Both were extremely positive about the Frenchman’s flourishing talent.
After watching him play against City last season, Guardiola said of the midfielder: “Houssem is a very good player. He is incredible.
“He is always very calm with the ball at his feet, with excellent technical quality.”
Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema and Aouar are reportedly good friends. They lived near each other in Lyon and their families became close during this time.
As quoted in Spanish paper Diario AS, Benzema said: “This lad’s really good, if he works hard he could go far,”
Will He favour Los Blancos Over Arsenal?
It appears as though Aouar maintains connections to Madrid via Benzema. Such a link may be a decisive factor to persuade the Frenchman to move to Madrid over Arsenal.
Arsenal would certainly benefit from Aouar’s composure and creativity in midfield next season. But a lack of Champions League football and a developing squad may not be as appealing to the 21-year-old.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
