Arsenal reluctant to meet Houssem Aouar asking price placing transfer in doubt

Arsenal's reluctance to meet Lyon's asking price for Houssem Aouar is holding up a move for the talented midfielder.


Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has long targeted the 22-year-old who was instrumental in Lyon's run to the Champions League semi-finals last season.

But with his club demanding £44million, Arsenal are struggling to agree terms having splashed out on Gabriel Magalhaes and on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's new deal.

When asked if a move was likely, Lyon's sporting director Juninho said: "No I don't think so, no offer yet.

"It seems that Arsenal don't want to, or can't invest the price for Houssem, who is our best player."Meanwhile, Dijon goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson is set to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed move to Arsenal.

The Iceland international, 25, has been earmarked as a replacement for Emiliano Martinez, who completed his switch to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

While a deal for Runarsson appears to be close, it is highly unlikely that everything will be completed in time for him to be part of Arteta's squad for today's Premier League visit of West Ham.

Arsenal had been linked with Brentford's David Raya, who worked under Gunners' goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana in west London before the Spaniard departed to join Arteta's backroom staff.

It is believed that Runarsson is another goalkeeper who Cana had been keeping tabs on, with reported interest from the Bees not leading to a deal to sign the former FC Nordsjaelland player.

Martinez left after 10 years at the club having ended last season as first-choice, only to lose his place to fit-again Bernd Leno for the opening game of the new Premier League campaign at Fulham.

Meanwhile, it appears Sead Kolasinac could be the next player to depart the Emirates Stadium after talks were opened with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential return to Germany for the left-back.