Liverpool can sign Houssem Aouar for just £25million this summer as Lyon have lowered their asking price for the creative box to box midfielder.
It’s boring at this point talking about Georginio Wijnaldum as there hasn’t been a twist in his transfer saga for months now and while Liverpool are interested in Yves Bissouma, they are yet to make a move.
It’s for this reason that I’m going to take a look at Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and why he’d be an interesting option for Liverpool in their search for a Georginio Wijnaldum replacement.
The Dutchman, as we all know, has his heart set on a Barcelona switch although his agent has been making noise about Bayern Munich which may suggest his future isn’t cut and dry just yet.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool passes the ball during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux on March 15, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. PHOTO BY SAM BAGNALL – WWFC/WOLVES VIA GETTY IMAGES.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Lyon are ready to accept a lower fee for Aouar as his time at the Ligue 1 side draws to a close. They’re fated to finish fourth in the French division behind AS Monaco, PSG and Lille and the no.8 could be making a move to the Premier League.
That’s if an English side pays the €30million (£25.8m) that L’Equipe are reporting Lyon are happy to accept in exchange for his services.
Aouar hasn’t exactly lit up Ligue 1 this season but he remains one of the best creative no.8s out there.
He’d be a sensational player under Jurgen Klopp and his role for Lyon actually reminds me a lot of the role that Philippe Coutinho excelled in before his record-obliterating move to Barcelona in 2018.
LYON, FRANCE – MAY 08: Houssem Aouar #8 of Olympique Lyonnais celebrates his goal during the Ligue 1 match between Olympique Lyonnais and FC Lorient at Groupama Stadium on May 8, 2021 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Coutinho was tasked with providing support for the front three in a number of ways with his primary role being a creator. He was brilliant in this role, assisting 10 goals in 19 Premier League and Champions League appearances.
Furthermore, he scored 10 goals as his goalscoring ability blossomed with the second aspect of his role as an attacking no.8 role having to do with getting forward with Salah, Mane and Firmino and acting as a fourth forward in the final third.
Aouar could benefit from this as his late runs into the box are well-timed and his finishing is fantastic for a midfielder.
Creatively, he has the potential to become one of the best players in the league but would need to improve his output as his three Ligue 1 assists this season is not good enough.
LYON, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 26: Houssem Aouar of Olympique Lyon poses with his Man of the Match Award following the the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Olympique Lyon and Juventus at Parc Olympique on February 26, 2020 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
A midfield three of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Houssem Aouar has everything you’d want.
Steel, awareness, leadership, bite, creativity and goals.
If a game required more nous and control, Thiago Alcantara could be subbed in but most importantly, Aouar would give Klopp an option he hasn’t had for quite some time.
Goals and assists have been sorely missed from central midfield and while the French star hasn’t been at his best recently, he’d be incredible under the German manager.
