AC Milan have set their sights on the potential signing of midfielder Houssem Aouar and he could arrive on a free transfer, a report claims.
According to this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews), one of the reasons why the Rossoneri management have set their sights on the French midfielder is the expiry of his contract with Lyon next June, which means talks could be opened as early as January.
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A cut-price deal could be possible in January, and the paper adds that Aouar’s agents have often attended Casa Milan in recent weeks as they oversaw the renewal of Pierre Kalulu and they are the ones who brought Sergino Dest to the Rossoneri with a last-minute deal in August.
Aouar has been playing at Lyon since he was 11 and may want to throw himself into a new experience for the first time. Furthermore, the presence of French and French-speaking players in the Rossoneri is a factor that must always be taken into consideration.
Aouar would be the ideal profile to reinforce a midfield without Franck Kessie and one lacking a real concrete alternative to Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer, given Tommaso Pobega is the most accredited backup but has very specific characteristics, while Aster Vranckx needs time and both Yacine Adli and Rade Krunic play more as attacking midfielders.
La Gazzetta states that Aouar has characteristics that make him a bit of a mix of Tonali and Bennacer so he could easily get into rotations, plus the 24-year-old has good experience, especially in Europe.
Can a ligue 1 fan please confirm?
My understanding was Aouar is more of an attacking 8 or even 10, than a no.6, looks a very gifted playmaker rather than a double pivot
@Kayson, I’m with you Bro.
I’ve watched a lot of his matches with Lyon and he’s been playing either an 8 or a 10.
He’s more attacking minded and he’s got a ton of skills as well.
I’ve never seen him been deployed in the DM position.
Is he creative? We should forget about him if he’s not.
A complete player. Only 2 years difference with Adli. So yes, if we can get him for free, or small figure of fee this winter, it’s a no a brainer.
A couple of years ago Aouar was one of the hottest midfielders in the world, with a valuation more than 60m (rumored Liverpool interest). In 19/20 he had an amazing year. So the quality, the talent is clearly there but he has faded considerably since then.
He is still quite young but his decline (or better failure to match expectations) is a bit worrying.
And yes, he is a creative midfielder and not a defensive force.
He’s a playmaker. He’ll be an alternative to Diaz, who we expect to leave.