Houssem Aouar looks set to stay at Ligue 1 giants Lyon despite interest from Premier League quartet Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion, say L’Equipe.
It is no secret that Lyon were hoping to cash in on a player who’s development has plateaued quite depressingly over the last 18 months or so; links with some of Europe’s biggest and best going by the wayside for the one-time Arsenal target.
With all due respect to Fulham, Forest, Palace and Brighton, these are not the level of clubs Aouar was expected to join when his time at the Stade OL came to an end. But it’s an indication as to where he’s at, right now.
According to L’Equipe, the one-time France international agreed personal terms with Nottingham Forest. So too Real Betis. A side who rescued another former Lyon playmaker when his reputation took a nosedive a couple of years back; one Nabil Fekir.
But the deadline is now just hours away and talks are grinding to a halt. The homegrown 24-year-old looks destined to see out the final 10 months of his contract in familiar surroundings.
Houssem Aouar stuck at Ligue 1 giants Lyon
Fulham’s interest, meanwhile, ran aground due to Lyon’s £13 million asking price. A loan move is also off the cards. Lyon would only consider permanent offers, due to his contract situation.
Once labelled ‘incredible’ by Pep Guardiola after a dazzling Champions League performance against Manchester City – and hailed for his ‘excellent technical quality’ by none other than Lionel Messi – Aouar will be hoping for his own Fekir-style resurgence. Especially after another summer of speculation which came to nothing.
Fulham appear to be prioritising a winger now, rather than a number ten. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, splashed out a club-record fee on Morgan Gibbs-White after giving up on Aouar.
Forest have impressed upon their return to the Premier League. Until that 6-0 thumping by an Erling Haaland-inspired Manchester City of course.
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