Arsenal Rumors: Aouar's Transfer Secretly 'Moving Well' As Gunners Likely To Meet Lyon's Demand

KEY POINTS

Arsenal has launched a bid for Lyon's Houssem Aouar
Aouar's move to the Gunners remains under wraps but has been progressing well
The 23-year-old earlier insisted that he is not leaving the Ligue 1 side

Arsenal could have taken a step closer to the transfer of one of its top targets.

The long wait could be finally over as Arsenal has now moved up a notch in its pursuit of Lyon star Houssem Aouar.

The 23-year-old has been on the Gunners’ radar since last year, but a transfer did not come to fruition until the 2020-21 season began.

However, Arsenal has now made an offer to Lyon and things have been “moving well” between all parties involved, French outlet Le10 Sport reported.

Aouar’s potential move to the Emirates Stadium is said to be “accelerating” but is still a “secret” at the moment.

Lyon demands a bid around the region of €20 to 25 million ($23.58 to 29.58 million) for the midfielder, a figure not too overwhelming for Arsenal, the report said.

The Ligue 1 side has been firm on its stance of not being keen to sell Aouar. However, if the club's top brass “receives a suitable offer,” they are likely to let the Frenchman go, the report added.

Prior to the report, Aouar himself insisted that he isn’t leaving Lyon anytime soon.

According to Aouar, all of the rumors linking his name to a departure from Lyon are “fake news” and he is now looking forward to a healthier future with the club.

“Once again, unfortunately, an umpteenth ‘fake news’ story has been released about me on multiple social media accounts,” Aouar said in a statement. “I'm not in the habit of responding to what is said about me...[but I was] sick, I was hospitalized over the weekend. Know that I am a lot better and that I am ready for the future!"

“Thank you to those who have always supported me, in the good times as in the less good times,” he added. “Allez Lyon.”

Houssem Aouar in action against Bayern Munich. He is one of those players who could well now be sold by a Lyon side deprived of Champions League football in the new season POOL / Miguel A. Lopes

An earlier report, on the other hand, said that should Arsenal still fail to secure a deal for Aouar this summer, the next transfer window could be Lyon’s last chance to cash in on the midfield star for a “good price.”

Aouar, meanwhile, is expected to be “attentive” to possible offers despite not being as determined to leave Lyon as he was in the past.

Aouar drew a lot of attention across the top five major leagues following a series of impressive performances in Ligue 1.

Since his senior-team debut for Lyon in 2016, he has already scored 32 goals in 170 appearances that went along with 32 assists.