Houssem Aouar is a name that dominated the gossip columns during the 2020 summer transfer window.
Fast forward 12 months and Arsenal fans could be in store for a repeat as the Lyon midfielder is reportedly back on Mikel Arteta and Edu’s radar as they look to add some much-needed creativity to the squad.
And Arsenal may never get a better chance to sign Aouar.
After being priced out of a move for the Frenchman last summer, recent reports have suggested that the 22-year-old’s price tag has significantly been lowered from £55m to just £20m – meaning Edu can pull off a £30m masterstroke.
In fact, The Sun have claimed that the Gunners are set to launch a bid for Aouar and are readying a contract worth £100k-a-week to finally secure his signature.
It remains to be seen if Arsenal have genuinely reignited their interest in Aouar, but a dream scenario has been created just in case they have.
Real Madrid have long been linked with a move for the Lyon ace, with recent reports in Spain claiming that he was one of their targets for the summer transfer window.
This came after Zinedine Zidane previously tipped his compatriot to one day pull on the famous white shirt of Los Blancos.
“I have no doubts he’s a great player,” Zidane told reporters last year, as per ESPN. “Maybe one day he could play for Real Madrid.”
Interestingly, Aouar has made no secret that Zidane is his footballing idol.
“I think Zidane was the player who made me love football because of his way of playing and his behaviour,” he told Players’ Tribune.
The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.
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Those comments suggest that Aouar would jump at the chance to play for Real Madrid especially under Zidane.
However, it was announced last month that Zidane has left Madrid for the second time as manager following a disappointing 2020/21 season and has subsequently been succeeded by Carlo Ancelotti.
This development could be fantastic news for Arsenal, and Real Madrid just might have lost the ace up their sleeve when it comes to the battle for Aouar’s signature.