Report: Arsenal target set for contract talks after rejecting £13m Forest move

Follow us on Google Discover

Lyon are reportedly set to open contract talks with Houssem Aouar after the midfielder rejected the chance to sign for Nottingham Forest, with Arsenal also keen on the France international.

According to Foot Mercato, the Ligue 1 giants are keen to keep their star midfielder at the club beyond his current contract, which is set to expire in 2023, with Aouar almost leaving Lyon this summer to sign for Forest in a reported £13m deal, however, the transfer broke down in the final days of the transfer window.

With Arsenal also reportedly interested in signing the 24-year-old, it makes sense why Lyon are now working to keep Aouar at the club beyond his current deal, with the midfielder penning a new contract a sure-fire way to keep the playmaker with the French giants for the short-term future.

Viewed by many as one of Ligue 1’s premier midfield talents, Aouar has been linked with a move away from France for quite some time, and this summer seemed to be the closest the 24-year-old came to leaving Lyon for good, yet as we know, a move to Forest never materialised despite reports of a transfer being close.

Indeed, Forest missing out on Aouar could now be a huge problem for Steve Cooper as well as Mikel Arteta, with Lyon now opening talks to renew the midfielder’s contract in a move that could see the midfield maestro remains in France for the best years of his career.

Whilst both Forest and Arsenal can move to other targets, missing out on Aouar will be a big blow for both club if the midfielder is to sign a new contract with Lyon, especially given how close the Nottingham giants were to bringing the 24-year-old to the City Ground this summer.

Aouar signing new Lyon contract is a big blow for Arsenal and Forest

Aouar has been linked with a move to the Premier League for what feels like forever, and for the midfielder to sign a new contract with Lyon will come across as a blow for both Arsenal and Forest, who have been the two English sides closest to bringing the French maestro to England.

Whilst the midfielder himself seemingly rejected a move to Forest this summer, Aouar signing a new deal with Lyon will be a disappointing outcome for many fans who had hoped to see the midfielder in England at some point, with Arsenal still chasing the midfielder if reports are to be believed.