Here are your Arsenal morning headlines for Monday, 28 September.
Aouar refuses to rule out Arsenal move
Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Houssem Aouar has spoken frankly about his future, commenting on links that have been made to other clubs.
The 22-year-old failed to commit his future to the French club who will not be playing European football this season for the first time since 1996.
"There are contacts with clubs, I don’t know yet. We’ll see what happens in the future," Aouar said following the 1-1 draw with Lorient at the weekend.
With a week of the transfer window remaining, it seems this is a move which will go right down to the wire if it is to be completed. Aouar has already been subject to one bid from Arsenal – who remain hugely interested in the playmaker – but their £32 million bid was rejected.
Undeterred, the Gunners are set to return with an improved £40 million offer, which could potentially rise to £50 million with add-ons, to test Lyon’s resolve.
Arteta praises Liverpool’s transfer vision
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has commended Liverpool’s transfer business and long-term strategy over the past five years, describing it as something Arsenal should look to mirror.
Arteta focused much of his praise on the Reds’ recruitment strategy which has seen them snap up the likes of Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk from lesser Premier League clubs. Meanwhile, they have mostly refrained from shelling out large sums on big-name players, instead looking towards bettering the team as a whole.
Consequently, Arteta believes this has boosted the club’s finances and stature in the game.
Arteta explained: "They generated finances because of the performances on the pitch, because of how they’ve grown as a football club over the years and because they have implemented a vision and a strategy that is really clear and has been a success, with a lot of good decisions."
Arsenal face Liverpool tonight for the second time this season, after triumphing over the Premier League champions in the FA Community Shield at the beginning of this season.
Exit strategy paving way for Aouar incoming
Arsenal’s attempts to raise funds by offloading fringe players could see them generate enough to make a second, more competitive bid for Aouar.
The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners amid reports the club have already seen one attempt rebuffed by Jean-Michel Aulas, the Ligue 1 side’s President.
Players who have found themselves on the periphery of Arteta’s squad since the return to action are top of Arsenal’s priority list, with the club aiming to move them on in the coming days.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Sead Kolasinac and Lucas Torreira are all hoped to secure permanent moves away, which will free up transfer funds, wages and space within the Arsenal squad for Aouar’s arrival.
The 22-year-old will cost somewhere in the region of £40-50 million, with Aulas standing firm on his handsome valuation of the midfielder.
