Arsenal are 'convinced' Houssem Aouar could be the answer to their creativity problems.
The Gunners are in the market for a creative midfielder this month and Norwich City star Emiliano Buendia appears to be one of the leading targets.
The size of the fee being requested for Buendia - £40million - could cause issues for the Gunners, though, and that's nothing new with Arsenal also left frustrated over other targets who simply cost too much.
That's according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who says Arsenal were 'convinced' summer target Aouar was and is the right man to solve their issues.
But pulling off a move for the Lyon star is another matter altogether.
“They are still looking for this kind of player, they were also trying for Szoboszlai who then joined Leipzig, but they were trying really for Dominik Szoboszlai,” Romano said on the Feather on Football podcast.
“And also Aouar has always been the first target for Arsenal. They love him and they are convinced he would be perfect in their midfield.
“The problem is that Lyon are asking for €60 million (£53.3m) they are having an amazing season, they want to be back in the Champions League, so at the moment with the president of Lyon it’s really hard to negotiate in January for this kind of player.”
Arsenal were strongly linked with Aouar throughout the summer transfer window but wound up going for then Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey instead.
As Romano has said, the chances of signing Aouar this month are slim and not just because of the fee but because Lyon are top of Ligue 1 and in with a shout of winning their first title since 2008.
Aouar has been key to the club's success this season, making 15 appearances, scoring three and assisting as many, and he is not likely to be allowed to leave in this window.
