Arsenal transfer news: Houssem Aouar, Nicolas Pepe, Fernando Calero, Orkun Kokcu

Lyon say ‘non’

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has made it clear to Arsenal that the French club are not prepared to sell Houssem Aouar.

The 20-year-old midfielder has impressed in Ligue 1 this season and the Metro reports that his form has attracted interest from the Gunners, Liverpool and Manchester City.

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But having signed a new five-year deal earlier this season, Aouar is firmly tied to Lyon and despite reports that both Arsenal and City are ready to offer £40m for the France Under-21 international Aulas is having none of it.

“The door is totally closed for our most successful hope,” said Aulas, when asked about Aouar’s future. “He has come from the academy and I think he is the future of Lyon.”

Price is high for Pepe

If Arsenal want to prise frontman Nicolas Pepe from Lille it will take €60m (£57m) according to France Football magazine.

The French club are aware of the interest from the likes of the Gunners, Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich and therefore they intend to squeeze as much as they can from one of the European powerhouses.

It’s claimed that Arsenal are “keenest” on Pepe but the asking price could deter Gunners boss Unai Emery.

Cut-price Calero

A much cheaper option is the price set by Spanish outfit Real Valladolid for the services of Fernando Calero.

They want a modest £10m for the 23-year-old centre-half and that will be sweet music to the Gunners who are looking for a replacement for Rob Holding.

The Englishman is out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury against Manchester United, and The Sun claims that Emery has identified Calero as the January priority.

The one obstacle to the deal going through is the interest of Borussia Dortmund and Valencia, and the Sun predicts that Arsenal will “face competition” when the transfer window opens next month.

Wonderkid watched

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal had scouts in Holland on Sunday to watch the “sensational senior debut” of Feyenoord wonderkid Orkun Kokcu.

The 17-year-old frontman was first linked to the Emirates earlier this month, and apparently the Gunners are one of a number of clubs “closely monitoring” the teenage prodigy.

They will have liked what they saw of Kokcu on Sunday, as he came off the subs’ bench to score and provide an assist in the victory over Emmen.

The Mail says that Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham are also tailing the youngster and Feyenoord could be ready to sell next month for the right price.