Arsenal target Houssem Aouar receives ‘concrete’ offer from Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest after failing to join the Gunners on three occasions

Nottingham Forest have made a bid for long-time Arsenal target Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.

The 24-year-old Frenchman’s current contract expires next summer, and with a transfer scheduled for this year, Forest have made a first offer according to L’Equipe.

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Aouar, who has a cap for France, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years, particularly at Arsenal who have seen several offers rejected.

The Gunners tried twice for Aouar in 2020 when Lyon asked for £54million, and reportedly tried again last summer for less than half that fee.

Due to the expiration of his contract, the midfielder is expected to be even more affordable this summer, with L’Equipe reporting that ‘several clubs’ have made offers for his services.

Forest, however, are the ‘most concrete avenue’ for Aouar to leave the hometown club, with Steve Cooper’s newly promoted side making big strides in the market.

Cooper has already added 12 players to his first team when they return to the Premier League after a 23-year absence.

The likes of Jesse Lingard and Dean Henderson have arrived from Manchester United, while Wales international Neco Williams has left Liverpool with ex-Red Taiwo Awoniyi.

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Arsenal have also had a busy summer again and are England’s biggest spender for a second successive season at the time of writing, but could need midfield reinforcements.

The North London side have sold Lucas Torriera to Galatasaray for £5m, in addition to selling Matteo Guendouzi to Marseille on a permanent basis.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was signed from Manchester City and can play in the center of the park, while Fabio Vieira joined Porto, but the Gunners were found to be light in midfield last season due to injuries and suspensions.

A versatile midfielder, Aouar graduated from the Lyon academy in 2016 and then gained international recognition when he featured in the 2019/20 Champions League, helping his side knock out Juventus and Man City before losing against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.