Arsenal set deadline after ‘timid’ offer for ‘resigned’ Auoar
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insists his club dismissed Arsenal’s latest “timid” bid for Houssem Aouar out of hand.
Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the talented midfielder, who impressed in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season.
But the Gunners are unwilling to meet Lyon’s £55million asking price, with the latest reported offer of £32million falling well short.
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Asked whether Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit, Aulas told Canal+: “There was a timid offer. We felt like they didn’t consider the fact that this is a player in the French national team.
“So, it was an offer that did not even make us consider making a sale.”
And when asked whether €40m or €50m would be enough, Aulas added: “It is certainly more than the first number that you mentioned.
“We will tell the players that whatever will not be settled in terms of departures before Friday, there will be no more departures.
“So for us the [closing] date of the transfer window will be Friday. I think I will propose it tomorrow (Tuesday) to Rudi Garcia and Juninho, because it’s understandable.
“And all people of goodwill can see that there is something wrong (with the results of the team). It can be because of that but it can also be a lot of other things.
“In any case, from Friday, the players who have not left will not leave.”
Aouar is keen to leave the French side this summer and is keen on a transfer to the Premier League.
But L’Equipe claim the midfielder has become ‘gradually resigned’ to moving to the Emirates, preferring a move to Manchester City.