Long-term Arsenal target Houssem Aouar frozen out by Lyon as he opens up on failed summer transfer
LONG-TERM Arsenal target Houssem Aouar has admitted it’s “difficult” being frozen out of the Lyon team after failing in his bid to leave the French club in the summer.
The 24-year-old playmaker has played just half an hour of football this season.
Aouar has been a reported target for Arsenal in the past, before Leicester and Nottingham Forest were linked over the summer.
In the end a move failed to ever materialise.
That’s despite Aouar telling Lyon he wanted to leave and the club themselves wanting to sell him.
The midfielder even agreed terms with “most of the clubs” that approached him, but Lyon failed to strike a deal with any of them.
Read More Arsenal News
Aouar told L’Equipe: “It was a stressful transfer window for me. But I agreed with most of the clubs that came forward.”
When asked if there was an agreement with Benfica, he said: “Yes, even with Benfica. You can see these clubs of different standings, with different projects, and I did not stand in the way.
“Unfortunately, OL (Lyon) could not come to an agreement with any of the clubs concerned. You have to respect that, there is no problem. But I haven’t closed the doors.
“The club wanted to sell me. I wanted to leave. So we worked together, but OL couldn’t find an agreement, which I can understand.”
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Aouar then found himself out of favour under boss Peter Bosz when the campaign got underway.
Although his situation may change now Bosz has been sacked, and legendary French defender Laurent Blanc appointed to replace him.
Lyon have won just four out of their opening 10 Ligue 1 games.
Speaking about his situation, he said: “It’s complicated. It’s getting long. When you are a player, you want to be on the pitch no matter what. So it’s obviously difficult. But it is what it is.
“All I can do is be patient. Moreover, it is always more complicated when the team is not doing well. It hurts to see teammates in difficulty like that without being able to help them.”
When pressed on the reason for his absence, Aouar said: “It’s not for me to answer. You have to ask the coach.”