Arsenal have aspirations to get new signings through the door as quickly as possible this summer, but they are yet to get their first signing over the line in the transfer window.
Despite finishing a disappointing eighth in the Premier League table at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, it has not been the flying start to the summer transfer window that Arsenal would have been hoping for.
At the time of writing, the Gunners, who kick-off their pre-season preparations against Hibernian at Easter Road in less than a week's time, are yet to make any new signings so far this summer, even though there are several new additions in the pipeline.
It is understood that the Gunners are closing in on the signings of Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares and Anderlecht defensive-midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, with the duo poised to join the Gunners in a £25million double swoop.
As well as those two being closest to completing moves to the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners also remain confident that they can win the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Ben White, despite reported interest from the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City.
Should Edu - the Gunners' technical director - get deals wrapped up for the three aforementioned names, it would significantly bolster their defensive options and the defensive side of their midfield, meaning the focus would most probably switch to more advanced areas within the squad.
It is no secret to anyone that Arsenal want to add a new central midfielder to their ranks following the exit of former loanee Martin Odegaard. The Norway international was soon pinpointed as Arteta's top target, but the likelihood of him returning to the Emirates Stadium this summer is close to zero. But while Leicester City star James Maddison remains another option, a familiar name has re-entered the frame.
The man in question is Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar. The 23-year-old Frenchman was on Arsenal's radar for almost all of last summer's transfer window before the club favoured a move for Thomas Partey instead. Now, though, according to a report by Le 10 Sport, the Gunners have rekindled their interest in the midfield star, so much so that they are claimed to have tabled a formal offer.
The report claims that Arsenal have offered Lyon a price of somewhere between €20million and €25million [£17.1m-£25m]. It is also claimed that talks are 'progressing well' and the Gunners hope to get a deal done.
Having been desperate to sign him last season, it would seem sensible that the Gunners are trying to sign him again, especially now that Lyon's reported asking price has significantly reduced from the £50million-plus they were demanding a year ago.
If Arsenal were to come out of these reported talks with a smile on their face and a deal was to be completed, it would no doubt earn the seal of approval from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
That is because the City boss, who will be hoping to see his side defend their Premier League crown in the forthcoming campaign, has waxed lyrical about Aouar in the past.
Following a Champions League tussle between Lyon and City back in 2018, Guardiola said: "Houssem Aouar is a very good player. He is incredible.
We talk a lot about (Tanguy) Ndombele, but Aouar is also excellent. He's always very calm with the ball at his feet, with an excellent technical quality.
"Lyon really has a very good team. There are young people full of quality and I think the team is in place tactically."
Whilst it is easy to spot just how talented Aouar is as a footballer, it is worth remembering that Guardiola is significantly more qualified than most to make a judgment on an "incredible" player when he sees one. With that said, the City boss' admission may be enough for Arteta to try and push as hard as he can to get a deal done.
Guardiola, though, is not the only high-profile figure within football to have heaped praise on Aouar's shoulders, as the Lyon star has also come in for recognition from Lionel Messi in the past.
Last year, Messi named Aouar on his list of top 15 young players to watch.
Messi said: "He is always calm with the ball at his feet with an excellent technical quality."
With both Guardiola and Messi agreeing on Aouar's technical ability word for word it tells you all you need to know about just how talented the midfielder is.
Arsenal are crying out for a player with technical qualities in the centre of the park and Aouar could be just the ticket, especially when a bargain deal could be completed.
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