Newcastle is targeting its targets. The talented Lyon midfielder could join the current Premier League No. 4 next year

Houssem Aouar has been a well-known name for some time now. The Lyon native was considered a great talent whose star was fading with each passing year. however, the 24-year-old midfielder, who also made a name for himself against Sparta in the Europa League last year, is now being linked with Newcastle.

If Aouar is to move on, it is high time. He has already been with Lyon’s A-team for six years and his contract also expires next year. So the time is probably approaching when the 175 cm tall Frenchman will head out into the world.

According to the Spanish site Fichajes, a number of clubs are interested in the Lyon native, including Arsenal and Newcastle, with the latter English club being the biggest favourite as they have huge financial possibilities, which is what the French club is hearing.

Aouar has been playing regularly for several years now and has been a better than average player at Lyon for several seasons. However, he has only played 3 games so far this season as he has been labored with an ankle injury.

In total then, he has played 218 games for Olympique, managing to score 41 times and assisting on 35 other goals.

What’s great about Aouar is his versatility, as he can play well at almost any position in midfield. However, he is mostly used as an offensive or central midfielder.

It is at this position that Newcastle could definitely use a step up in quality, when with all due respect to The Magpies midfielders, there isn’t really a top creative midfielder to be found.

Be that as it may, players like Joe Willock, who just happens to have a lot of potential, and Sean Longstaff are presenting themselves really well at the moment, with the question being whether they are merely riding the wave of euphoria with the others. Similar to Leicester’s winning season, where many players rode the coattails of N’Golo Kante or Riyad Mahrez.

At the very least, the skilful Frenchman has the potential to lift the English side, currently in 4th place, a little higher again. However, he certainly hasn’t fulfilled his potential so far, so it’s questionable whether he would succeed in the Premier League.

We can assume that it would be a rather risky move, since it would be a transfer that would cost Newcastle several tens of millions. However, given that Aouar would be coming to the north of England for free next summer, it’s undoubtedly worth a shot.

The funds saved could be kept by the club for other players. If this English club wants to play for the top ranks of the Premier League on a steady basis, a few more players will have to come in, especially the wider squad.

Sources