In their Tuesday edition, L’Equipe have an article on Lyon’s transfer situation, which gives the Gunners a virtual dig in the ribs over Houssem Aouar.
It’s explained the midfielder ‘absolutely’ wants a transfer before the window closes, and Mikel Arteta’s side seem the only option in town right now. The Premier League club are certainly making efforts to sign the player, even if the €38m they’ve so far reached falls short of the €60m Lyon originally hoped for.
Of course, there’s a good chance of a compromise there, and this is where it gets painful for Arsenal. L’Equipe state Aouar is ‘gradually resigning himself’ to joining the London club… ‘having hoped instead for Manchester City or Juventus’.
The French newspaper explain that if Arsenal don’t get close enough to Lyon’s demands then Aouar can stay, and if he gets his form back on track, and if he has a great season, and if he plays for France at Euro2020(21), he’ll be bankable next summer.
Memphis Depay doesn’t seem to be getting the interest Lyon had hoped for. Despite previous claims of a move to Barcelona being imminent, L’Equipe state no club has made a move for the Dutchman.
The Ligue 1 side want €25m, yet would even ‘think twice if only offered half’.
Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon’s president, said on Monday that any of his stars who haven’t been sold by Friday will remain at the club.
There’s a crucial few days ahead.
