Houssem Aouar is set to stay at Lyon following a meeting with the club, according to Mohamed Bouhasfi. The Frenchman was subject to several transfer rumours over the summer with Arsenal the club reportedly most interested but is now likely to stay put for at least another year.
The news will come as a boost for Lyon following a poor start to the season. Losing Aouar would significantly affect their place in France’s top four; keeping the midfielder should prove vital to their Ligue 1 campaign.
For Arsenal fans, the news will act as another blow in a transfer window filled with speculation rather than done deals.
Aouar Set for Lyon Stay
More Disappointment for Arsenal
Following wins in the FA Cup and Community Shield, Arsenal would have been hoping for similar success in the summer transfer window. However, the moves have simply failed to transpire with the biggest transfer based news at the Emirates being Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract extension.
Securing star man Aubameyang to a new deal was crucial, but Arsenal must build a better team around the forward in order to see further improvements. Off the pitch, it seems they have failed to react, however, with a deal for Thomas Partey unlikely and a move for Aouar now reportedly off the table.
It must be said that long-term improvements on the pitch will only occur if recruitment off the pitch does.
Lyon Aiming for Improvement Following Poor Start
The reported news of Aouar’s stay should allow Lyon to focus on progressing through the Ligue 1 season. So far, the Frenchman have failed to impress, sinking to just two wins in five games, and are in danger of falling further away from the Champions League places so early on.
Now that the focus is away from Aouar, they should be able to secure much-needed wins to progress up the table.
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