Houssem Aouar admits he ‘wanted to leave’ Lyon before missing out on a summer move to Premier League duo Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, speaking to L’Equipe.
The one-time France international has played a grand total of 30 Ligue 1 minutes during an injury-interrupted start to the season. It certainly feels like a long ago that Arsenal were willing to break the bank for a player once labelled an ‘incredible’ talent by none other than Pep Guardiola.
With all due respect to Palace, Forest, Fulham and Brighton, Aouar is clearly no longer catching the eye of the truly elite-level clubs; the mercurial 24-year-old paying for a couple of inconsistent years at the Groupama Stadium.
Per L’Equipe, Aouar agreed personal terms with big-spending Nottingham Forest in August. Finding an agreement with his club, however, proved to be far more difficult.
Houssem Aouar stuck at Lyon after Premier League switch collapsed
“Unfortunately, OL were unable to come to an agreement with any of the clubs concerned,” the £13 million-rated Aouar explains.
“That must be respected. The club wanted to sell me. I wanted to leave. So we worked together, but OL did not find an agreement, which I can understand.
“In a transfer, there are three parties: the buying club, the selling club, and the player. If it were up to me, I would’ve been transferred since I had accepted the offers. But everyone has to agree. It doesn’t bother me mentally at all. I am someone who quickly moves on.”
According to RMC Sport, Crystal Palace was the most likely destination for Aouar in the final days of the window. It remains to be seen whether Patrick Vieira’s struggling side renew their interest in the New Year, with Aouar out of contract in 2023 and ready for a new adventure.
“I really couldn’t see myself leaving Lyon to go to another French club,” he explains. “I’m from Lyon, I’ve done everything here, I’m a supporter of the club. So, in France, it’s OL.
“It is true that they have mentioned the possibility of extending (my contract). But I am not on the pitch at the moment, and my only priority is to play.”
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