Houssem Aouar to Tottenham transfer may face same problem blocking Arsenal deal

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Tottenham appear to have run into the same problem that Arsenal did last year and may find it difficult to lure Houssem Aouar to the Premier League this summer. The reasoning is not due to the player’s desire to leave Lyon, which is believed to be concrete, but rather absence of Champions League football at both clubs.

The local rivals could have quite the transfer battle on their hands this summer, with Spurs latecomers to a player Arsenal have been linked with for years.

In previous seasons, Auoar’s stellar performances in Ligue 1 had put him out of reach, but a relatively quiet campaign has brought him into attainable range for both sides.

Unless, that is, the issue of European qualification becomes a complete deal-breaker.

Fabrizio Romano fears that this may be the case, saying: “My only question mark is about Champions League football.

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“Last summer, he said no because he was not convinced about Arsenal opportunity because he wanted Champions League football.”

Due to a disappointing campaign under Arteta last time out, Arsenal face the prospect of no European football whatsoever for the upcoming season.

Spurs would be in the same boat, but for the introduction of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

However, for a player like Aouar who reportedly wants to strut his stuff on Europe’s biggest stage, the Conference League is sure to do little in the way of convincing him to sign.

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Romano still believes that Spurs may have a joker up their sleeve, however, saying: “Fabio Paratici wanted him at Juventus last summer, he was close.

“So Paratici always admired Aouar, but at the moment I am told there is nothing advanced.

“For sure Paratici has a good relationship with his agents, they are the same agents of Weston McKennie who signed for Juventus.”

Bids in the region of £25million are thought to be enough to perk Lyon’s interest.

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At 23 years old, Aouar arrives as virtually the finished product, having already notched four full seasons of senior football.

The Frenchman would bring a touch of creative flair to either side, alongside his keen eye for goal and forward-thinking instinct.

The defensive side of his game would be the only thing that may require improvement if either Arteta or Spurs boss, Nuno Espirito Santo, plan to deploy him in a purely central role.

However, Arsenal are in need of a creative No 10, while the Spurs hierarchy are keen to simply get off the mark in the transfer market this summer.

In light of recent developments, both sides may have to work that extra bit harder to convince Aouar that north London is the best place to take the next step in his career, even without Champions League football.

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