6 potential bargain transfers for Arsenal in 2022 window

Houssem Aouar – Lyon

Age: 24
Position: Attacking midfield
Contract expiry: 2023

He still exists! Importantly, he’s still very good. And, fortunately, he’s available on a bargain.

With the way Arteta has developed his side over the course of the past four months, it’s now never been more suited to having Houssem Aouar involved. The Frenchman isn’t a double pivot player, nor is he best utilised as a wide-left attacking midfielder, as his skillset is perfectly aligned with that of a left-sided No. 8.

Now into the final 18 months of his contract, Aouar will be available for a cut-price fee in the summer, one that would feel extra special to Arsenal having been held to ransom for €50m during that memorable window.

How has he been since then? It is consistency that hasn’t been Aouar’s best strength throughout his career, with him only having one league assist or goal since October last year, while the question marks remain over his mentality with off-field matters setting off a few alarm bells.

But he’s still a player with tremendous ability, someone who can carry, thread a pass, play in tight spaces and is clever off the ball, and with a new deal unlikely to be penned by him the price might be too good for Arteta to turn down.

Having ‘loved’ the player before, there might still be some emotional attachment lingering.

Continued on next page…