ARSENAL’S long-running Houssem Aouar pursuit appears to be over after he started for Lyon tonight – the day before the window closes.
Aouar scored in a 1-1 draw against Marseille in Ligue 1, killing off fans’ hopes of a late revival of a move to the Emirates.
Houssem Aouar has been linked to Arsenal for much of the transfer windowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Gunners beat Sheffield United 2-1 yesterday but suffered a blow as talks with Lyon collapsed.
Reports suggested that Arsenal were unable to meet the French club’s asking price after extended negotiations – leaving Lyon officials to pull the plug.
The French outfit’s president Jean-Michel Aulas gave a deadline of Friday evening for a deal to be done.
And after Arsenal failed to get a deal over the line, the midfielder slotted home a penalty to give his side the lead in tonight’s clash.
But ex-West Ham ace Dimitri Payet levelled before being sent off in the stalemate.
The Gunners’ failed pursuit came after the North London club desperately tried to shift fringe players like Lucas Torreira and Sead Kolasinac to raise funds.
They have also found their Thomas Partey chase going nowhere in a frustrating end to the window.
Who should Arsenal sign out of Aouar and Partey?
Lyon will be hoping the end of the Aouar speculation can help drag them back up to the table.
Their point tonight sees them sit in 14th after four draws in their first six games.
Opponents Marseille are also off to a dodgy start and sit only two points ahead.
Houssem Aouar shows off his ball control in Lyon football training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
