Arsenal are continuing their pursuit of a midfield player, and Lyon's Houssem Aouar looks the most likely to arrive before Monday's deadline.

The Gunners saw a £35 million bid for the 22-year-old rejected earlier this week, but they remain in talks with the Ligue 1 side as they look to reach an agreement.

Reports suggest Aouar has already agreed personal terms ahead of a possible move to north London.

Lyon are keen to move players on to raise cash, with the club struggling financially, but outspoken president Jean-Michel Aulas is a notoriously hard negotiator and is demanding £55 million for the Frenchman.

Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey remains a target for Arsenal, but it is unlikely that the Gunners will land both him and Aouar this summer.

The Spanish giants are demanding that Partey's £50 million release clause is met if the Ghanian is to leave the Wanda Metropolitano.

Despite the 27-year-old being Arsenal's priority target earlier in the window, their focus has now turned to Aouar as they look to sign a midfielder before deadline day.

A deal for Partey could still be possible if the Gunners can move Lucas Torreira on, with Atleti keen on signing the midfielder.

Talks are ongoing between the clubs over a move for the Uruguayan international, but Arsenal want to sell the 24-year-old for a fee of around £20 million while Diego Simeone's side prefer a loan deal.

Discussions are set to continue over the coming days, but Torreira looks likely to leave the Emirates before deadline day.

Sead Kolasinac is also close to leaving north London, with an £11 million transfer to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen close to completion.

Sokratis and Matteo Guendouzi could also leave before deadline day, but both are short of potential suitors, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles is unlikely to go despite links to Manchester United.