HOUSSEM AOUAR has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss Lyon’s Ligue 1 opener with Dijon tonight.
The French club confirmed the news not long before kick-off at the Groupama Stadium.
Aouar impressed for Lyon in their run to the Champions League semi-finals
They confirmed that, while the 22-year-old is totally asymptomatic, that he has been placed in isolation in accordance with health guidelines.
The talented midfielder has been linked with a number of teams after his impressive performances, including Juventus and Arsenal.
But with no transfer having yet materialised, he appeared set to feature for Lyon in their opening fixture of the 2020-21 season.
Having tested positive for Covid-19, however, he will instead be watching from home as he self-isolates.
And in addition to this, he is likely to miss Lyon’s next two games against Bordeaux and Montpellier too.
Aouar will also have to pull out of Didier Deschamps’ France squad – becoming the latest stricken midfielder to do so.
Paul Pogba and Tanguy Ndombele pulled out having contracted coronavirus earlier this week – with Deschamps calling up 17-year-old starlet Eduardo Camavinga in their place.
Following Lyon’s Champions League semi-final exit, Aouar has been busily preparing for the new campaign with his team-mates.
As recently as three days ago he posted a picture of himself training alongside team-mates, including Memphis Depay ahead of the new campaign.
Lyon have confirmed, however, that Aouar contracted coronavirus outside of the club.
Despite interest from the Gunners, Aouar has a “clear preference” to join Juventus, Le10 Sport claim.
The Italian side want to structure a move into a two-year loan deal with an obligation to buy.
But it could be scuppered by Aouar’s diagnosis – although he will hopefully make a speedy recovery.
Houssem Aouar shows off his ball control in Lyon football training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
