Arsenal are in the midst of a hectic summer transfer window as technical director Edu has been tasked with ending the Gunners' five-year hiatus from the UEFA Champions League.
The Brazilian has already added three first-team players to the ranks, with English defender Ben White, Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares and Belgian midfield Albert Sambi Lokonga all joining the club for a combined £76million this summer.
As first revealed by football.london back in May, the Gunners are also chasing a creative midfielder and a goalkeeper to challenge current no.1 Bernd Leno for the upcoming season.
They have been linked with moves for former loanee Martin Odegaard as well as Leicester City playmaker James Maddison, with football.london revealing back in June that the latter was 'at the top of the list' for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
However, the Foxes' £60million asking price has been a stumbling block in any potential deal and football.london understands that the north London club are now exploring cheaper alternatives to Maddison in case a move fails to materialise this month.
This is echoed by The Sun, who claim that Arsenal have reignited their interest in Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar and could make a move for the Frenchman if they are unable to bring either Maddison or Odegaard to the Emirates in the coming weeks.
The report claims that the Gunners could try and engineer a loan move for Aouar as a last resort towards the latter stages of the window.
Arsenal fans took to social media, urging the club to sign Aouar, as well as one of the aforementioned Odegaard or Maddison this month. Here is how a select few reacted on Twitter to the news.
@Majidbala85 : "Just buy him and Maddison."
@AFC14BVB : "Nothing wrong with Aouar being the plan B. So many have slept on him but he’s big potential to be a world class midfielder."
@Dunmoreorless : "Getting Ødegaard + Aouar is so clear of getting Maddison."
@_danielbarratt_: "Just get Aouar now!! It’s a no brainier!"
@afcvann : "Odegaard/Maddison AND Aouar. Yes please."
@Sbaz13Baz : "Our transfer business is abysmal."
