Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar as Lyon have reportedly agreed a deal with AC Milan to sign Lucas Paqueta for €20 million.
The signing of the Brazilian attacking midfielder could set a domino in motion that could see Aouar leave for the Premier League.
The 23-year old is set to join after an €18 million deal to buy the attacking midfielder was rejected last week. He is set to sign a five-year contract and adds to a strong Brazilian contingent already at the club.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted that the paperwork was to be completed soon whilst Arsenal are continuing to push for the French midfield maestro, but no agreement has been reached yet.
Lyon Agree Deal for AC Milan’s Lucas Paqueta
Olympique Lyonnays have reached an agreement with AC Milan to sign Lucas Paquetá! Deal almost done, last details to be completed soon.
…and Arsenal are still pushing to sign Aouar from OL [talks on also today, no agreement yet ⚪️🔴]. 🇧🇷 #AFC #Arsenal @SkySport @PeppeDiSte
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 29, 2020
Wheels Set in Motion for Aouar
The Gunners have already reportedly had a bid turned down for the 22-year old midfielder with Lyon holding out for an offer worth £45 million including add-ons.
Lyon club president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed the bid from Arsenal – but said it wasn’t an offer worth thinking about.
He also stated that despite the transfer window not closing until next Monday, the French side will look to handle all transfers – arrivals and departures by Friday the latest.
“We will tell the players that whatever will not be settled in terms of departures before Friday, there will be no more departures,” he told reporters.
“So, for us, the [closing] date of the transfer window will be Friday. I think I will propose it tomorrow (Tuesday) to Rudi Garcia and Juninho because it’s understandable.”
#Paqueta al @OL, titolo definitivo dal @acmilan: tutto tra poco su @SkySport 24 con @PeppeDiSte #calciomercato
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) September 29, 2020
Lyon ended last season seventh in Ligue 1 and are out of the Champions League for the following season, despite reaching the semi-finals of the same competition last season – beating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City before bowing out to eventual winners Bayern Munich.
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