‘Incredible’ Arsenal target demands transfer as £11m rival bid accepted

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Lyon have accepted an offer from Real Betis for a possible transfer of Houssem Aouar, who has expressed a desire to leave the Ligue 1 side amid interest from Arsenal in his signature.

That’s according to Foot Mercato, who report Aouar recently met with Les Gones’ head of recruitment, Bruno Cheyrou. The playmaker used the encounter as a chance to express his wish for a fresh adventure, having spent his entire career so far at the Groupama Stadium.

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The 24-year-old joined Lyon’s academy back in 2009, before rising through the youth levels for 215 first-team appearances to date. Aouar has also offered 40 goals and 35 assists in all competitions thus far, with eight and four respectively registered during the last campaign.

Lyon accept Real Betis bid amid vast interest in Arsenal target Aouar

Aouar’s form with Lyon has merited widespread interest in the reported Arsenal target this summer. Real Betis are rivalling Real Sociedad to offer the one-cap France maestro a move to La Liga, whilst Roma offer a route to Serie A and Leicester a path to the Premier League.

Reports in May by The Sun noted Arsenal’s interest in Aouar, and suggested Mikel Arteta’s team were on pole for a deal with Lyon. But Les Gones have now accepted a bid from Real Betis for their academy product worth just €13m (£11m), as his contract expires next year.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Los Verdiblancos are now striving to convince Aouar of a switch to the Estadio Benito Villamarin. The Lyon native – courted by Algeria at international level – has not yet given his blessing to a transfer, and wants to take his time to make a final decision.

Aouar is intent on accepting an offer that represents the best footballing project for a vital stage of his career. L’Equipe also report the playmaker Pep Guardiola has considered to be an ‘incredible’ talent since 2018 still covets joining a Premier League outfit, if it is possible.