Arsenal receive Houssem Aouar boost as Lyon chief hints at transfer before Friday 'deadline'

Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar after president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted his side would likely sell two players before the end of the window.

Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his midfield options with Aouar a prime target alongside Atletico Madrid general Thomas Partey.

Arsenal have seen two offers turned down for the 22-year-old, the first of which sat at just over £30million, while the second was described as "timid" by Aulas, who insisted Aouar would cost more than €40million (£36m).

Aulas has also set Arsenal the stringent deadline of Friday for any of their players to be sold, though is now offering a glimmer of hope by revealing there will be some exits.

Lyon on Wednesday also announced the signing of midfielder Lucas Paqueta from AC Milan, perhaps paving the way for Aouar's departure.

Speaking at a press conference for Paqueta's signing, Aulas said: "From Friday evening, when Rudi [Garcia] will choose his squad vs Marseille, there will be no departures.

"We could see ourselves lose two players."

Arsenal are not the only club looking at Aouar, with Manchester City and Juventus also linked with the midfielder.

Aulas has confirmed three clubs are gunning for the youngster, but insisted none had yet met their valuation.

"We know that three big clubs are interested in him, two in the short-term, 1 in the long-term," he added.

"Not much has happened. All the clubs can’t give us financially what Lyon wants."

Arsenal do not only have Aulas' timeframe to compensate with, but the transfer window's closure is swiftly approaching, with just four days until Monday's 11pm deadline.

Read more

Liverpool XI v Arsenal: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup

New Arsenal training pictures as Arteta plots Liverpool cup downfall

Lyon complete signing of possible Aouar replacement Paqueta

Bellerin feels he has rediscovered his best form after injury woe