Arsenal were not able to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar due to the inability to offload fellow midfielders Mesut Ozil, according to the Daily Express.
The Gunners pushed for Aouar before Friday’s deadline set by Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas but they were unable to raise the funds needed for his transfer.
Arsenal were also not helped by Mesut Ozil. The player is not in the immediate plans of manager Mikel Arteta and the club has not been able to offload him to add to the money for Aouar.
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Ozil is on £350,000 weekly wages and he has one year left on his Arsenal deal.
Arsenal were told to pay €60m for Aouar but were not able to meet the financial demands from Lyon.
The French club wanted €50m plus €10m in add-ons, while the Gunners were only able to raise €38m plus add-ons.
Mikel Arteta is after a new midfielder especially a creative one to add more invention and creativity to his team.
Arsenal have struggled to create chances in the Premier League this season.
