Lyon President says three big clubs interested in Aouar
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said that three big clubs are interested in signing Houssem Aouar during a press conference to unveil new signing Lucas Paqueta, according to Get French Football News.
The French side’s chief said that of the three, two clubs want to sign the 22 year old in the short term and the third club is interested in signing him in the long term. Arsenal are the only club to have made a concrete offer for the player so far. They made a £32 million bid for Aouar which was rejected by Lyon.
The Gunners are preparing a new offer for the Lyon academy graduate and it will be in excess of £36.3 million, according to Fabrizio Romano during his podcast Here We Go. Lyon are said to be looking for £45.5 million for Aouar but are in need of funds especially after completing the signing of Paqueta, a player widely believed to be Aouar’s replacement, and might be willing to accept a lower fee.
As for the two other clubs who have shown an interest in the player, their identities were not revealed by Aulas. It has been reported that Juventus contacted Lyon to find out what their valuation of Aouar was. They also wanted to know the status of the French side’s negotiations with Arsenal.
Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City have been linked with the player in the past and it is possible that one of them could be among the clubs that are interested in him.
Arsenal remain the frontrunners in the race to sign Aouar but with less than a week left before the end of the transfer window and possible competition for the player’s signature, they will need to act fast to seal this deal. Aulas has said that no player will be allowed to depart the club beyond this Friday.
