Lyon director Juninho said Arsenal had talked about the availability of star midfielder Houssem Aouar.
The Gunners have been very connected to Aouar in weeks and Juninho opened up to manager Mikel Arteta’s admiration for the 22-year-old.
French under-21 midfielder Aouar scored nine goals and 10 assists in 41 competitions last season and helped Lyon qualify for the Champions League semi-finals.
It is coveted by clubs across Europe, but is committed to Parc Olympique Lyonnais until 2023 and is said to be priced between forty-five and 54 million pounds.
Arsenal are highly unlikely to make such an offer in advance and explored that a more money-back player is offering for Aouar, who would see private midfielder Matteo Guendouzi pass through the other side.
But Juninho showed that he was not interested in Guendouzi, 21, a frank discussion about Aouar’s long career with french media rmC Sport.
“I get along very well with [Arsenal’s technical director] Edu, we talked on the phone,” the Lyon leader said. “Aouar is appreciated through Mikel Arteta.
“There was talk of Guendouzi about the call, he’s a wonderful player, but he has the wrong profile. We’re not interested in that at all, we’ve cut the conversation. “
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Aouar is connected with Arsenal Premier League rivals Manchester City and French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But Juninho showed that those clubs had not yet submitted formal installments for the player, adding: “I think it happened with the agents.
“We have been contacted directly. Maybe [general manager] Vincent Ponsot has been contacted through Manchester City, I’m sure.
“That’s the way it is with those two groups, two massive groups that play to win the Champions League every year, have the ability to do so and make any player dream. I don’t know if Houssem is in position” to replace the plans of a big Ligue 1 team like the PSG.
“For the City, of course, Guardiola loves the player, but is that the profile they have for today?We don’t know either, and we haven’t won any official offers. “
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