Arsenal aren’t giving up on the sight of Houssem Aouar in red and white but they are reportedly in need of more funds before they can finally land their long-time target.

The Gunners fell short in their pursuit of the Lyon playmaker last summer before enduring their worst season this century, with eighth in the Premier League and no qualification for European football in 2021-22.

Mikel Arteta doesn’t want to make the same mistake again and the north Londoners are weighing-up re-launching their chase, as the Spaniard continues to clear-out the sandbaggers in his dressing room.

Arsenal are yet to submit a fresh bid for Aouar this summer and will need to offload a minimum of one more midfielder before they can go after the Frenchman, according to ESPN.

Granit Xhaka is being linked with a move to Italy with either Jose Mourinho’s Roma or Juventus, while Lucas Torreira spent last season on-loan with Atletico Madrid and has been on the periphery of Arteta’s plans since his appointment.

Matteo Guendouzi has already left for Marseille on a temporary deal which is expected to become permanent, while the Gunners could opt to cash-in on Hale End graduate Joe Willock’s superb season at Newcastle.

The Gunners lacked creativity in the middle last season, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starved of service, particularly before Martin Odegaard’s arrival on a six month loan from Real Madrid.

The Norwegian won’t be back in the Premier League next season after returning to fight for his place under Carlo Ancelotti.

Arsenal’s transfer options will be limited this summer after missing-out on European football entirely, let alone the Champions League, which still looks to be far beyond the Gunners in their stuttering revival attempt.

Aouar’s Lyon side finished Ligue 1 in fourth last season, qualifying for the Europa League.

The French side missing out on Europe’s premier competition could aid them in their pursuit.