Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news in La Liga on Friday, September 18.

Friday morning's La Liga transfer talk news roundup:

Arsenal 'lining up concrete £36.5m bid for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar'

Arsenal are reportedly now in a position to make a formal £36.5m offer for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.

The 22-year-old has been touted as a target for numerous clubs over the past few transfer windows after starring in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

Despite growing interest in the France international, Lyon sporting director Juninho Pernambucano revealed earlier this week that no bids have yet been tabled.

However, ESPN journalist Julien Laurens has indicated that may be about to change as Arsenal are ready to test the French club's resolve.

It is suggested that, following the £20m sale of Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa and Lucas Torreira's likely move to Torino, Mikel Arteta's side can now afford to sign Aouar.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey also remains a reported target for the Gunners, but they are unlikely to follow through with that interest if Aouar joins.

Manchester City eye Jules Kounde as Kalidou Koulibaly alternative?

Manchester City have reportedly identified Sevilla defender Jules Kounde as a potential transfer target.

While City have been heavily linked with an approach for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, it remains unclear whether the Premier League giants are prepared to pay in excess of £60m for the Senegal international.

That has left Pep Guardiola to consider cheaper alternatives, which has previously led to Diego Carlos, also of Sevilla, being on his radar.

However, the Daily Mail claims that City will favour a move for Kounde if they decide to shelve their interest in Koulibaly.

In his first season at the La Liga side, the 21-year-old played a starring role during his side's Europa League success, a run which included wins over Roma, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United and Inter Milan.

However, the Frenchman still has four years remaining on his contract at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

More transfer news from La Liga:

A look at the highest earners in the Premier League
The Real Madrid forward is reportedly on £500,000 per week and, if he rejoins Spurs, will head a list currently topped by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Read more.

Sergio Reguilon 'arrives for Tottenham Hotspur medical'
Sergio Reguilon arrives at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground for a medical, according to a report. Read more.

Report: Gareth Bale to complete Tottenham Hotspur loan return on Friday
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is reportedly set to fly to England on Friday to put pen to paper on a loan switch to Tottenham Hotspur. Read more.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez 'takes Italian exam ahead of Juventus switch'
Barcelona striker and rumoured Juventus target Luis Suarez reportedly sat an exam on Thursday as he continues his efforts to become an Italian citizen. Read more.

Gareth Bale 'booked in to play Friday golf with Daniel Levy'
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is allegedly booked in to play golf with Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy ahead of completing a switch to his former club. Read more.

Luka Jovic 'wants to leave Real Madrid on loan'
Serbian forward Luka Jovic wants to leave Real Madrid on loan before the start of next month, according to a report. Read more.

Arsenal agree five-year deal for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar?
Houssem Aouar agreed a five-year contract with Arsenal earlier this month and is now waiting for the Gunners to finalise a deal with Lyon, according to a report. Read more.

Ronald Koeman insists Luis Suarez will not be frozen out at Barcelona
Ronald Koeman insists that Luis Suarez will not be frozen out at Barcelona, despite claims that he has already informed the forward that he does not feature in his plans. Read more.

Five talking points as Gareth Bale closes in on Tottenham Hotspur return
Gareth Bale is set to seal a loan move from Real Madrid. Read more.

Tottenham Hotspur 'confident of signing new striker in addition to Gareth Bale, Sergio Reguilon'
Tottenham Hotspur want to sign a new centre-forward before this summer's transfer window closes, according to a report. Read more.

Jose Mourinho refuses to comment on Gareth Bale rumours
The Welshman is due to travel to London on Friday to complete a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid. Read more.

Tottenham Hotspur-bound Gareth Bale expected in London on Friday
It is reported that Gareth Bale will be accompanied on the plane by Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Reguilon. Read more.

Gareth Bale 'to travel to London on Friday ahead of Tottenham Hotspur return'
The Welshman is set to sign on a season-long loan from Real Madrid. Read more.

Ronald Koeman not expecting new Barcelona signings before start of season
Ronald Koeman does not expect Barcelona to make any new signings before the start of their 2020-21 La Liga season. Read more.

Jose Mourinho remains coy on Gareth Bale speculation
Gareth Bale was a huge favourite before heading to Spain. Read more.