Arsenal have supposedly tabled an opening bid of £17m for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.
The Gunners are in the market for midfield reinforcements having seen Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard return to Real Madrid, while Granit Xhaka is expected to follow the duo out of the exit door alongside Matteo Guendouzi.
Aouar is believed to have been on Arsenal's radar for over a year now, and with his Lyon deal due to expire in 2023, a cut-price transfer to the Emirates Stadium has been mooted.
According to Le 10 Sport, Arsenal have now approached Lyon with an offer of £17m, but Les Gones are still holding out for a fee closer to £21m.
The report adds that Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to battle their North London rivals for Aouar's signature, and Nuno Espirito Santo's side would be able to 'offer more' than the Gunners.
Aouar scored seven goals and assisted three more in 30 Ligue 1 games last term as Lyon secured a return to continental competition in the Europa League.
Ben Knapton
