Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has warned Houssem Aouar not to get his hopes up over a transfer to Arsenal, saying they don’t have the funds to get the deal done.
Aouar is believed to be one of Mikel Arteta’s key summer targets as he looks to improve his midfield at the Emirates.
Lyon are demanding around £54million for the 22-year-old Frenchman, however, which could prove to be a stumbling block in a possible deal.
Arsenal are trying to trim down their squad in order to raise funds to bring new signings to the club but time is running out before the end of this summer transfer window.
And Aulas publicly admitted that Aouar should be preparing to remain at Lyon this campaign.
Asked if Aouar will stay at the club, Aulas said: ‘Financially, Arsenal are like everyone else (in a tricky spot). And Houssem could say to himself that the best thing would be to stay with us.’
According to reports, Arsenal are the only club interested in signing the France international. It’s been reported that a Champions League team reached out to express their interest in signing the midfielder.
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Juventus and Bayern Munich are among the top sides who have been linked with him in the past.
There is some hope for Arsenal in that they are keen to sell players to raise funds with the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira all strongly tipped to leave the club.
But with less than two weeks remaining in the transfer window, they are seriously running out of time.
