Juventus must sign Lyon’s Houssem Aouar after resuming talks

Juventus look to be back in the hunt for crafty Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar and are considering a move for the Frenchman this summer.

Aouar has long been on the Bianconeri’s radar, with the Italian giants linked with a move last summer.

Juventini might remember the midfield maestro’s dazzling first leg performance against Maurizio Sarri’s Old Lady in the last 16 of last season’s Champions League. It was a show which the young Frenchman stole, displaying the poise, guile, and innovation Juve desperately lacked from their midfield triumvirate of Adrien Rabiot, Miralem Pjanic, and Rodrigo Bentancur on the night.

It was Aouar who set up Lucas Tousart’s winner in Lyon before Juve embarrassingly crashed out on away goals despite a 2-1 victory in the return fixture.

Nevertheless, Aouar’s persistent brilliance in Ligue 1 and his majestic Champions League campaign amid Lyon’s shock rise to the final four last season meant that the Bianconeri were not the only European juggernaut to take notice.

Manchester City and – sure they might not exactly be a ‘juggernaut’ as such anymore – Arsenal were strongly linked, but it appears the Bianconeri have emerged as front runners for Aouar’s signature.

The Marley Ake deal kickstarted negotiations

Sky Sport Italia’s ever-reliable Gianluca Di Marzio (via Football Italia) reports that Juve’s proposed swap deal which will see 20-year-old Marseille winger Marley Ake arrive in Turin and teenager Franco Tongya move in the opposite direction has facilitated negotiations for Aouar.

This is because Ake shares an agent with the Lyon star, and Juve have reportedly used that opportunity to discuss Aouar’s situation. The club is believed to be looking at agreeing on a deal for the Frenchman to arrive in the summer.

Juve need another midfield refresh

It appears inevitable that Aouar will depart Lyon at the end of the season, and Juve have to ensure that Turin is the Frenchman’s next destination in what promises to be a stellar career.

The Bianconeri attempted to mitigate their midfield woes in the summer by drafting in the metronomic Arthur Melo at the expense of the declining Pjanic in a bizarre swap deal with Barcelona, but there’s no doubting that Juve still need reinforcements in the middle of the park.

While loanee Weston McKennie has proven to be an astute bit of business, Andrea Pirlo’s tendency to play him in a more advanced role in possession so the dynamic American can maraud between the lines and enter the opposition’s box at greater regularity means the Bianconeri often look bereft of creativity and innovation from deeper areas. From their double pivot, essentially.

Bentancur is a tremendous athlete and impressive ball-carrier but struggles to decipher and execute the ‘final pass’. Rabiot can be an elegant footballer but has often proved a detriment to the Bianconeri since his arrival, while the aforementioned Arthur is a player who excels in the first and second phase as a result of his intricacy, technical security, and press-resistance. It all looks a bit awkward once the Brazilian enters more advanced zones.

All three are – or can be – individually brilliant in their own way with their skill sets altering, but the problem for Pirlo has been striking a balance.

In short, Juve need another refresh and Aouar may well be the perfect option. Although he is somewhat unproven as part of a midfield two – he’s tended to play in a three at Lyon, almost as a mezzala.

It’s a move Juventus have to make

The diminutive 23-year-old’s dynamism, variation and unpredictability would add a whole new dimension to the Bianconeri. Aouar’s a player to behold in full flight; one who excels in tight spaces and capable of outwitting opponents via the most subtle of shimmies and body feints.

Ultimately, though, Juve don’t necessarily need another press-resistant dribbler capable of delivering vertical passes to break opposition lines (which Aouar can, by the way). They already have that – to a certain degree.

Instead, they need a more prolific contributor in the final third, and with Aouar’s xG (expected goals) for the 2020/21 campaign (6.2) and xA (expected assists) (2.8) currently superior to the combined tallies of Rabiot, Bentancur and Arthur (1.7 and 2.2 respectively), it’s clear that the Frenchman would be an obvious upgrade in this regard. The Lyon man’s 4.93 ‘shot-creating actions’ per 90 minutes this term – the highest of his career thus far – is best rivalled by Bentancur’s 2.58 among the aforementioned trio. He makes things happen.

Overall, Aouar’s willingness to break beyond the last line of defence and enter the opposition’s box from midfield has helped him to a relatively healthy goal and assist haul at Lyon. 37 goal contributions in 113 Ligue 1 games is a respectable return.

As I mentioned earlier, the primary concern is his ability to play as part of a double pivot. Aouar’s not exactly a willing defender and will likely struggle to defend transitions – already a problem area for the Bianconeri.

However, his versatility means the 22-year-old excels in a variety of roles, and should Pirlo retain the same system he’s deployed in his first season at the helm, Aouar may well find himself functioning in the role that Ramsey and McKennie have performed effectively this season. Should he make the switch in the summer, of course.

Nevertheless, it’s hard to envisage a move for Houssem Aouar being overly expensive, and it’s one the Juventus hierarchy have to make if they’re to grant Andrea Pirlo the greatest chance of success in Turin.