The deal- as Gunners receive major Aouar boost After to Agreement and Ian Wright makes £35m claim

Arsenal receive biggest boost yet in Aouar pursuit

Arsenal have just over a week to conclude a deal for Lyon’s Houssem Aouar before the European transfer window shuts.

However, it appears the club have been given a huge boost, as the French side appear to be lining up a new target.

The Gunners have been unsuccessful in their attempt to use Matteo Guendouzi in a part-exchange deal for the Champions League semi-finalist, but reports out of Italy suggest Rudi Garcia’s side have an eye on AC Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta as a potential Aouar replacement.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, via the Express , Lyon are preparing to bring the Brazilian to France after he struggled for minutes last season.

The big-money arrival from Flamengo made a strong start after joining Milan during RIno Gattuso’s reign, but the Rossoneri made two changes in the dugout last season and Paqueta started just 12 Serie A games all season.

Arsenal legend Wright makes bold claim about Van de Beek

Former Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek has been one of this summer’s biggest movers, completing a £35m move to Manchester United.

The Dutch international has already got off to a fast start, scoring on his league debut for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, but ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright has claimed Van de Beek would have been a better signing for his former club.

“Donny van de Beek, he’s someone that I wish someone more like Arsenal could have taken,” the former England international said on The Kelly & Wrighty Show.

“When you look at Pogba, what he’s doing, and you look at Bruno Fernandes – that is Donny van de Beek’s position.

“So people are thinking they’re going to see Van de Beek [sitting] with Pogba and Fernandes, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Arsenal have added Dani Ceballos to their ranks in another season-long loan from Real Madrid, but are still pursuing further additions in central midfield with Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey both very much on the Gunners’ radar.