Deal CLOSE: Lyon affirms “meek” second Arsenal offer for outstanding midfielder

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has affirmed that Arsenal made a “bashful” second proposal for midfielder Houssem Aouar that was quickly dismissed.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta indicated on Monday that his side’s transfer business for the summer isn’t yet finished with less than one week left of the window.

Houssem Aouar is generally viewed as Arsenal’s top target ahead of the October 5 deadline, while Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey is another alternative.

The Gunners are reputed to have made a £30m bid for Aouar a week ago, and Jean-Michel Aulas has uncovered that a marginally improved sum has since been tabled.

There was a hesitant offer [from Arsenal], he told Telefoot. We felt like they didn’t consider the way this is a major part in the French national team.

Thus, it was an offer that didn’t cause us to think about making a deal.

Inquired as to whether Lyon were after somewhere in the range of €40m and €50m for the Frenchman, Jean-Michel Aulas answered: It is positively more than the primary number that you referenced.

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Questions also remain over the eventual fate of teammate Lyon star Memphis Depay, who is a target for Barcelona this summer.