Mikel Arteta's contribution to Edu's 'perfect' £22 million move has been spotted by Arsenal fans

Arsenal fan transfer rumours have already begun to circulate ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

The most recent one features Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, defender William Saliba, and Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, who was linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium earlier this summer.
Surprisingly, the latter two met on Sunday night as the 2020/21 Ligue 1 season finished.

Saliba will be the center of attention, as it was his goal - his first of his senior career - that gave Nice a 3-2 victory at the Groupama Stadium, as well as denying Lyon Champions League football next season.
Aouar hinted ahead of the match against Nice that it might be his last in Lyon colors.

In a press conference, he said, "This could be (my last match at Lyon), but it could also not be." "I don't ask myself these kinds of questions before a big game like this," he says. I haven't been able to play as much as I would like. After COVID, it was difficult for me to return. A season with a lot of contrasts (for me). In terms of injury management, I've changed.

It's unclear if Arsenal will be interested in rekindling their interest in Aouar if he leaves Lyon this summer, given that the focus appears to have shifted to Norwich City's Emi Buendia.
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed during the January window that the Gunners are still "convinced" that Aouar is the right man to solve their innovation problems.

On the Feather on Football podcast, Romano said, "Aouar has always been Arsenal's first goal." "We adore him and believe he will fit in well in their midfield."

The issue is that Lyon is demanding €60 million (£53.3 million), they are having an incredible season, and they want to return to the Champions League, so it's extremely difficult to negotiate in January with the president of Lyon for this type of player."
And, according to L'Equipe, Aouar will be available for between £22m and £25m this summer as a result of Lyon's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

With that in mind, some Arsenal fans have'seen' what Arteta has done to help technical director Edu complete the 'perfect' summer move.

On Arsenal Reddit, there's a hypothesis that Arteta sent Saliba on loan to Nice in order for him to score against Lyon on the final day of the season to prevent Nice from playing in the Champions League next season, and that this was done in order to reduce Aouar's price tag so that Arsenal could afford to sign him this summer.

said thedeadlocker: "Arteta is a genius. He's done it once again."
Echo361 remarked: "Aouar for 30 mil is a no-brainer if he wants to come. He didn't have his best season this year, and his decision to leave this summer will undoubtedly benefit us."

"I really want Aouar in the squad, miles ahead of all of our midfielders except Partey," SymphonyARG said.

"If we can bring Aouar, Buendia, and Bissouma in, that could potentially turn our midfield," cookievanop said.